Stroll sets top-three target for Racing Point

Lawrence Stroll sees no reason why Racing Point, the team emerging from the ashes of Force India, cannot challenge Red Bull and knock on the door of Mercedes and Ferrari's title fight in Formula 1. Canadian billionaire bought the team out of administration in the summer and his impact is now starting to be felt.

With a new name on the FIA's 2019 F1 entry list and the presence of son Lance in the team, Stroll is finally beginning to put his stamp on the team ahead of 2019.

Force India finished fourth in the constructors' standings in 2016 and 2017, despite a budget dwarfed by many other teams on the grid.

Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez combined for the fifth-highest points tally in 2018, but the team finished seventh after having their points reset following Stroll's takeover and he has already begun setting lofty targets.

"With the right funding, the right leadership, the right motivation, there's no reason we shouldn't have high expectations," he told the New York Times .

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Racing Point Force India is delighted to announce that @lance_stroll will join the team for 2019 to race alongside Sergio Perez. Lance has pledged his commitment to the team as part of a long-term deal. Welcome to @forceindiaf1, Lance! #FIFamily

A post shared by Racing Point Force India F1 (@forceindiaf1) on Nov 30, 2018 at 6:19am PST

"[We should] be able to punch even higher above our weight, to hopefully be fighting for that third place."

Force India were beset by financial issues for much of the decade the team featured in the sport, but Stroll says it will not be the case for the new incarnation.

"I'm not in this for ego," he said. "I'm not in this to lose money. I'm in this for the long term, as I have been with every other business I've owned, be it Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors or whoever.

"I've had enough conversations with Chase to understand that is the direction they want and need to take the business.

"For me that spells financial opportunity - and looking at 2021 onwards, a profitable business opportunity."

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