Racing Point

Racing Point
Racing Point UK Limited · Public domain · source
Name	Racing Point
Founded	2018
Base	Silverstone
Principal	Otmar Szafnauer
Chassis	Racing Point RP19
Engine	Mercedes AMG F1
Debut	2019 Australian Grand Prix
Final	2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Racing Point Racing Point was a British-registered Formula One constructor and team that competed in the FIA Formula One World Championship during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Formed from the assets and entry rights associated with a lineage that includes Jordan Grand Prix, Spyker F1, Force India, and Sahara Force India, the team operated from facilities near Silverstone Circuit and engaged with suppliers such as Mercedes-Benz and Pirelli. Racing Point's tenure coincided with landmark events including the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, and the commercial evolution of Liberty Media's stewardship of Formula One Group.

History

Racing Point's origin traces through a succession of ownership and administrative changes beginning with Eddie Jordan's foundation of Jordan Grand Prix and later takeovers by Spyker Cars and Vijay Mallya's Force India. Financial collapse during the 2018 Formula One season led to a 2018 administration process overseen by EY (Ernst & Young) and acquisition by a consortium fronted by Lawrence Stroll, whose investments intersected with entities like Yew Tree Investments and partnership discussions involving Stroll family businesses and Aston Martin. The rebranding to Racing Point for 2019 followed regulatory procedures with the FIA and commercial negotiations with the Formula One Group, while existing technical agreements with Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains and contractual relationships with Sahara India Pariwar elements were renegotiated.

Team Identity and Ownership

Under the de facto ownership of Lawrence Stroll and financial backers including investors associated with Fraser Stoddart-linked portfolios, Racing Point positioned itself as a British team based at a campus proximate to Silverstone Circuit and Silverstone Technology Park. The operational leadership featured figures from prior iterations: Otmar Szafnauer as team principal, Andy Stevenson in sporting functions, and Otmar Szafnauer's managerial links to Ford-era programmes. Commercial activities involved collaborations with sponsors and partners like SportPesa, BWT, JCB, and Richard Mille, and corporate relationships with Aston Martin Lagonda were cultivated in light of subsequent rebranding ambitions and discussions with Daimler AG stakeholders.

Formula One Participation

Racing Point contested the FIA Formula One World Championship in the 2019 and 2020 campaigns, starting at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix and concluding with the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before an announced transition to the Aston Martin marque for 2021. The team registered entries under a newly issued FIA entry but retained technical supply chains with Mercedes-Benz for power units and selected components. Racing Point participated in regulatory dialogues at meetings of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and engaged in Formula One Commission consultations on Financial Regulations and Technical Regulations alongside teams such as Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Scuderia Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, McLaren F1 Team, and Williams Racing.

Car Design and Technical Development

Racing Point's chassis, initially branded RP19 and RP20 in their respective seasons, evolved from inheritances of wind tunnel data and design personnel linked to Force India and external consultancies. Aerodynamic development relied on collaborations with partners like Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains for engines and Pirelli for tyre performance integration, while CFD and wind tunnel programmes referenced standards set by Sahara Force India's technical group, including engineers recruited from outfits such as Renault F1 Team and Sauber F1 Team. The RP20 notably drew design attention for its visual and technical resemblance to the dominant Mercedes W10, provoking debate among entities including Red Bull Racing and constitutional review by the FIA.

Drivers and Personnel

The driver lineup featured established and emerging competitors: Sergio Pérez continued from the Force India lineage, joined by Lance Stroll as a seat aligned with ownership interests. Reserve and development roles included drivers like Paul di Resta and test drivers linked to programmes at DAMS and ART Grand Prix. Key technical personnel included designers and engineers with prior tenures at Mercedes AMG Petronas, McLaren, and Renault Sport F1, while managerial staff such as Otmar Szafnauer and commercial directors liaised with partners including BWT and investors associated with Lawrence Stroll. Driver development and telemetry integration drew on collaborations with institutes like MotorSport Vision and performance entities affiliated with McLaren Applied Technologies.

Competitive Record

During its two-season existence, Racing Point achieved multiple points finishes, podiums, and a notable victory in the Sergio Pérez-led campaigns, culminating in points hauls against midfield rivals including Haas F1 Team, AlphaTauri, Alpine, and Williams Racing. The 2020 season featured strong qualifying performances and race results that elevated the team in the Constructors' Championship standings, challenging incumbents such as Renault and McLaren. Statistical records from events like the 2020 British Grand Prix and 2020 Turkish Grand Prix documented lap-time comparisons with powertrain suppliers like Mercedes and strategic opponents such as Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Racing Point's tenure included disputes over design provenance, notably protests and appeals involving Renault and Racing Point F1 Team concerning aerodynamic component legality and alleged parts sharing with Mercedes. The FIA adjudicated instances including an investigation into the RP20's brake duct design, resulting in sanctions, appeals to the FIA International Court of Appeal, and fines that engaged legal counsel experienced with cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Ownership and financial restructuring attracted scrutiny in media outlets covering Lawrence Stroll's acquisition and the prior Force India administration, while sponsorship relationships and commercial agreements involved negotiations with corporate entities such as Aston Martin Lagonda and BWT that drew attention from commercial partners and regulatory observers.

Category:Formula One teams