Racing Point CEO Otmar Szafnauer has claimed that owner Lawrence Stroll takes more interest in the team than Vijay Mallya.

Lawrence Stroll played a pivotal role in saving the team from a certain collapse in 2018.

During the 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix, Force India (as it was known back then) was put into administration. A consortium led by Lawrence Stroll rescued the team by purchasing assets. The team was then rebranded to Racing Point F1 team.

Lawrence Stroll and Racing Point

Otmar Szafnauer joined the team in 2009 and has the experience of working with past owner Vijay Mallya and current owner Lawrence Stroll. When asked about the same, speaking to Dieter Rencken, Szafnauer said: “The significant difference is Lawrence takes a much deeper interest into what’s going on in the team. More of understanding of all aspects of what we’re doing.”

“Whereas Vijay took more of a hands-off, laissez-faire view of the team only from a big picture perspective. Vijay liked the racing very much so you saw him at all the races. But he used to spend, up until the last year or two, maybe four or five days in the factory a year. Where Lawrence will come two, three days a week.” continued Szafnauer.

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Vijay Mallya was often seen at Formula one races and was quite instrumental in popularizing the sport in India. However, financial crimes landed him in legal trouble with the Indian Government. Although Mallya was passionate about the sport, he wasn’t too involved with developing the car or monitoring other aspects of the sport.

According to Szafnauer, Stroll takes a more hands-on approach and makes constant trips to the team factory in Silverstone. Furthermore, Lawrence Stroll is far more engrossed in all the areas of research and development.

Racing Point had a fairly ordinary season in 2019.  The team struggled initially but found their footing in the middle part of the season.

Sergio Perez signed a long-term contract with the team until 2022. 2020 will also see Lance Stroll continuing with Racing point.

Heading into 2020, the team will be looking to bounce back and become the best of the rest. Winter testing-which begins on February 19, will be crucial for the team.