Racing Point out to make history and prove Wolff is right

Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer is hoping to prove Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff correct by making history this year.

Wolff has suggested that Racing Point "will be a tough nut to crack" on some circuits and that it now has the pace to claim a race win.

Taking into consideration the team's various incarnations over the years, the Silverstone-based outfit has not won a race since 2003 when it was known as Jordan.

While Wolff's comments are obviously complimentary, Szafnauer is a little more sceptical. He said: "Well, I hope Toto is right, that we can be potential winners.

"I'm sure there are elements of our car, when compared to others, you can say you're a little better here and a little worse there.

"But we've got to remember it's not just about one or two corners, it's the entire lap, and when you look at the entire lap, they were about a second quicker than we were in qualifying [in Hungary].

"That's very flattering, I hope he is right, but I still think we've got work to do if we're hoping to win some races."

Szafnauer, meanwhile, has dismissed suggestions that as its power unit supplier Mercedes would consider taking any step that might harm its chances of winning.

"The only place a senior team like that might be able to hurt us is to say 'Well, you can't buy our gearbox any more', or 'You can't buy non-listed parts from us'," added Szafnauer.

"But you've got to remember we've designed and developed all of our listed parts so there's no way they can say 'I'm going to hurt you', or perhaps say we can't buy their powertrain any more.

"I don't think that's how Mercedes is. We've had a long relationship with them, we've been buying our powertrain from them for as long as I can remember, and I think that will continue."

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