Racing Point hopeful of name change ahead of 2019 season

Racing Point, formerly known as Force India, is hopeful of a further name change ahead of the 2019 season. The consortium backed by Lawrence Stroll saved Force India from administration part-way through the 2018 season, becoming Racing Point Force India in the process.

After announcing the Force India part of the name had been dropped after the Abu Dhabi tyre test post-season, the team is potentially set to undergo another name change before the 2019 season begins.

According to team CEO Otmar Szafnauer, the name is still viewed as a placeholder until a new name is agreed upon.

"Force India, for obvious reasons, won't be referenced any more," he told the 'Beyond the Grid' podcast.

"It was the old entity and it had a strong link to the old ownership as well.

"I think it's a natural change. Even the previous shareholders who were both Indian wanted to change the name from Force India.

I think there's a logical reason to do that, we just have to, from now until mid-January, pinpoint exactly what the name's going to be.

"Racing Point was an off-the-shelf company that was used to buy the assets of Force India. So it could very well be that we change again.

"We'll only change again if we find a better name to change to. So it could very well be that we stay as Racing Point.

That still needs Formula 1 Commission approval which should happen in mid-January.

"There's still an opportunity to go to the Formula 1 Commission with a different name. Unless there's something better then it could very well be Racing Point.

I hope we do find something better."