Racing Point Formula 1 boss Otmar Szafnauer reckons progress with a new aerodynamic phi💜losophy will enable his side to fight for points at every race in the second half of 2019.

After an initial strong start to the season with four straight points finishes, drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were onꦆly able to record one top 10 appearance across the next six races, until Stroll claimed a breakthrough result with a fourth-place finish during☂ a chaotic German Grand Prix.

The Sil🌠verstone-based squad has been developing its 2019 challenger throughout the opening half of the campaign having been boosted by fresh investment from new owner Lawrence Stroll following his takeover last summer, and Szafnauer believes the team’s hard൲ work is beginning to come to fruition.

“We come back from the summer break 🤪determined to build on the foundations we have laid in recen💫t months,” said Szafnauer.

“The new aero philosophy will continue to evolve over the next few races and we bel🔯ieve it’s taking us in a better direction.

“I think we can be much stronger in this second half of the season and c𓄧hallenge for poin𓃲ts at all the upcoming races.”

Stroll echoed Szafnauer’s views, adding: “I’m really looking forward to t🌌he second half of the season🦩.

“I think we can be 🐷stronger in the coming races and there are more new parts coming th𒈔rough.

“We definitely won’t stop pushing because there are nine races to go and lots of opportun𒈔ities to score good points𝓀.”

Perez has not scored a point since April’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku an👍d has now fallen behind Stroll in the drivers’ standings as a result.

“I’m feeling in good shape a💮s we get bac🎀k to business,” the Mexican said.

“I always say that Spa is the perfect place to restart the season because it’s su📖ch a special track.

“It’s one of the best races of the year and I love the high-speed corners such as Pouhon. It’s a long lap, too, so when you hook everything up it’s very satisfying.

“Spa usually produces good racing, as well,” he added. The first sector and the approac🌠h to Les Combes off🐼er good opportunities to overtake.

“I still remember the first lap last year when we were fighting for the lead. It was such a special feeling to get a good result. I hope we can do something similar this year.

“The key to being quick is to find the right trade-off between top speed and downforce. You want to be quick through the corners without losing too much top speed down the strai✨ghts. We are on full throttle for about 70% of the lap so you don’t want too much drag.”