Sergio Pérez felt it was a strong day of the BWT Racing Point Formula One Team at the Hungaroring on Friday, with the Mexican ending opening practice with the third fastest time, behind only the two Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team drivers.
Pérez then went on to finish fifth fastest in the afternoon session that was held in wet conditions, with the team using the session to understand more about the RP20 in the rain after they struggled for performance in the rain during last weekend’s Qualifying session for the Styrian Grand Prix.
“Today was a good opportunity to prove that we had found improvements in wet conditions compared to Austria,” said Pérez. “That gives me confidence for tomorrow – regardless of the conditions.
“I think we can target a place in Q3 and build from there. Everyone was on different programmes today and there was only the one practice session in ideal conditions, but I think we’ve made a good step in further understanding our car.”
Team-mate Lance Stroll finished four-tenths of a second behind Pérez in the morning, and replicated that fourth place in the afternoon rain, with the Canadian also feeling the team has made progress in the wet conditions compared to seven days ago.
Stroll felt it was a ‘useful day’ all round for Racing Point, and there is potential for a strong weekend at the Hungaroring regardless of the conditions.
“The car felt good and we hit the ground running today,” said Stroll. “It was a shame there was rain this afternoon, but we worked to improve our understanding of the car in the wet.
“I think we’ve made a good step in those conditions compared to last weekend, which is a positive. There’s the potential for mixed conditions this weekend and the important thing is that we look strong in the dry too.
“All in all, it was a useful day.”
