Why unloved Lotus 76 may be Colin Chapman's most significant car
A wide variety of Lotus cars are often proffered as the ultimate F1 game-changer – but was the Lotus 76 an unusual candidate which trumps them all?
Racing Point F1 line up is confirmed for 2020, with Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll providing “consistency with a blend of youth and experience”
Signed for another three years Photo: Motorsport Images
Sergio Perez has signed a three-year deal to extend his contract with Racing Point until 2022.
The announcement finalises the team’s line-up for 2020, with Lance Stroll already contracted to the team for next season.
Perez joined the team in 2014, when it was branded Force India, so the agreement will take him to nine seasons with the Silverstone-based outfit.
In a statement, Perez described Racing Point as his “second family”, and said he had “confidence for the future”.
The Mexican has achieved five podium finishes since joining the team, and has never finished outside the top ten in the drivers’ championship, but currently sits 16th in the 2019 standings, with 13 points.
Related content
“I’m very excited to extend my partnership with the team for the next three years. I’ve been working together with this group of people for a long time now and they have become my second family,” said Perez.
Together we have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success and we share the same passion for racing. I have been impressed with the direction the team has taken over the last twelve months and that gives me confidence for the future. I believe the best times are still to come and I look forward to celebrating plenty of podiums in the years ahead.”
Racing Point looking for consistency ahead of rule changes Photo: Motorsport Images
Racing Point said that the Stroll/Perez line-up provided “consistency with a blend of youth and experience”.
Otmar Szafnauer, the team principal, said that this was vital, with new regulations planned for 2021.
“We know Sergio very well and it’s great to confirm him on a long-term deal. Over the last six years we have seen him become a very complete driver with excellent qualifying speed and exceptional race craft.
“Sergio believes in the long-term vision of this project and getting his commitment until the end of 2022 gives us valuable consistency going forward. As the team continues to grow and develop it’s important to have a driver with Sergio’s level of experience, especially with new regulations on the horizon.
“The whole team is thrilled to continue working with Sergio and I believe we can enjoy great success together in the coming years.”
A wide variety of Lotus cars are often proffered as the ultimate F1 game-changer – but was the Lotus 76 an unusual candidate which trumps them all?
Finishing sixth in the Bahrain Grand Prix with broken wrists and a fractured toe, Lance Stroll is the latest racer to block out torturous pain rather than miss a race. Here are some of the most incredible stories
The hot pursuit of keeping up with Red Bull is causing serious headaches for Mercedes and Ferrari, with Aston Martin remaining realistic
Williams was the second-most improved F1 team at the Bahrain GP, with Alex Albon scoring a point. But new team principal James Vowles says that it will take years to break into the midfield fight, as he overcomes the legacy left by seasons of struggle