Racing Point has vowed to “come back strong” in Abu Dhabi but now accepts it faces a tricky task if it is to finish higher than seventh in the Constructors’ Championship.
Racing Point, under its Force India guise, finished fourth across 2016 and 2017, and placed seventh last year despite losing its pre-summer points due to the process regarding its mid-season takeover.
Racing Point entered the Brazilian Grand Prix in sixth, fractionally ahead of Toro Rosso, but lost substantial ground to its opponent due to Pierre Gasly’s podium finish.
The Silverstone-based team is now 16 points behind Toro Rosso and holds a reduced 10-point advantage over Alfa Romeo, after its other rivals also scored heavily at Interlagos.
“It’s important we end the season on a high in Abu Dhabi,” said Sergio Perez.
“It’s been a long year and there is still a lot at stake. Brazil didn’t go well for us – even though we scored points – and we need to come back strong this weekend.
“When you get to the final race you just need to keep focused on the job ahead. Everybody is starting to think about next year, but you want to finish the season well so that you can go on holiday feeling happy.
“Nobody wants to have a bad final race so we will do all we can to end the year with a strong performance.”
Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer explained that “we’ve dusted ourselves down after a tough race in Brazil and are determined to bounce back with a better result in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s a circuit we’ve gone well at in the past – particularly with Checo, who has scored points there in every race with the team since he signed in 2014 – so we’re feeling positive heading into the weekend.
“It’s been a transitional year for the team and optimism for 2020 is high. But for now, the focus is on scoring points this weekend.
“Reclaiming sixth place in the championship will be a big task – but we all want to end 2019 on a positive note and will keep fighting until the very end.”
