Racing Point’s “better in-house capacity” has raised the team’s expectations for the 2020 Formula 1 season, according to Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer.

With Lawrence Stroll purchasing the Silverstone-based outfit mid-way through the 2018 season, Racing Point’s finances have become more stable with extra funding being injected into the company.

Having had an increase in investment, the team has spent money on updating its infrastructure, and last November it had plans approved to build a new state of the art factory.

And with budget no longer as tight as it once was, Szafnauer has confirmed that Racing Point is no longer held back a much as it once was.

“Our Silverstone base is buzzing with excitement right now and we always enjoy it when we see a new car come to life.” commented Szafnauer.

“Even though we have more stable regulations for this season, much of the RP20 is new and has a distinct visual difference to its 2019 predecessor.

“We’ve always been an ambitious team and, with continual investment in infrastructure, we now have a better in-house capacity.

“As such, our expectations are much higher – especially since 2019 was compromised by the hangovers of the previous season and transition of ownership.

“Following the changes of the last 12 months, we’re no longer held back by some of our old constraints, allowing us to improve performance with efficiency – something that has always been a strength of ours.”

With the team no longer behind on development, as they were at the start of 2019, Szafnauer said that the team’s goal is to end the season at the top of the midfield, a result they last achieved in the 2017 season, when they were known as Force India.

“It’s always difficult to make predictions this early in the year – but firstly, we need to start this season at a much higher level than we did in 2019 and that means right from the first test in Barcelona this week.” Szafnauer added.

“I’m confident we can do this and our ultimate target is to be at the front of the midfield – but we also intend to end the year closer to third place than fifth.

“We know that the car we will race in Melbourne is a significant step forward in every area, but where this puts us is dependent upon what our competitors have done over the winter.

“Stable regulations typically reduce the probability of shocks – but it’s important that we don’t underestimate anybody at this stage of the season.”