Sergio Perez believes Racing Point is now in a position to compete for top 10 results at each event, off the back of the squad’s recent performances.
Perez endured an eight-round run in which he failed to score a point, which coincided with Racing Point struggling to match its midfield opponents.
But a three-part major upgrade package has lifted the squad back into contention and Perez has surged to ninth in the Drivers’ standings, scoring 30 points across five of the last six races.
That included seventh position at his home event in Mexico last Sunday, finishing as the lead driver behind the Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull representatives.
“I’m still feeling really happy with our race in Mexico last weekend,” said Perez.
“Finishing as best of the rest is realistically the most we could have achieved. It showed our strengths as a team and shows the progress we are making with this car – even in the final part of the year.
“I feel we can fight for points in all of the remaining races.
“Austin has always felt like a second home race for me because of the number of Mexican fans who come along. It feels strange to be going there after Mexico because it’s usually the other way around.
“I enjoy having these two races next to each other – they are both highlights of the year for me and very enjoyable. I always notice the Mexican flags in the grandstands and it gives you a boost.”
Racing Point holds seventh in the Constructors’ Championship but is level with Toro Rosso on 64 points and is now just nine shy of fifth-placed Renault.
“We’re at that point in the season where every point is hugely important,” said team boss Otmar Szafnauer.
“We’re in the thick of this midfield battle and the six points we scored in Mexico have helped us close the gap on fifth place to just nine points.
“The car was strong in Mexico and we will work hard to ensure similar pace in Austin this weekend.”
