Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer is targeting a much-improved second half of 2019, starting this weekend in Belgium.

The Silverstone-based outfit has always run well at Spa-Francorchamps, with the original Jordan team famously claiming their first victory 1998 through Damon Hill.

As Force India, Giancarlo Fisichella claimed pole and finished second in 2009, while last year Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon finished fifth and sixth, having battled with the top three teams throughout the race.

This season, the situation is a little different as the fallout from last year's takeover has seen them playing catch up, but a series of upgrades has put the team back on the right track.

“We come back from the summer break determined to build on the foundations we have laid in recent months,” Szafnauer said ahead of the trip to Belgium.

“The new aero philosophy will continue to evolve over the next few races and we believe it’s taking us in a better direction.

“I think we can be much stronger in this second half of the season and challenge for points at all the upcoming races.”

Also Read:

• Racing Point: P4 in the Constructors' 'possible' but 'difficult'
• Perez confident a new Racing Point deal will be signed soon
• Stroll: Better to put future Racing Point goals to one side and focus on this season

Considered as one of F1's top venues, they're no surprise that Perez is keen to get going at Spa.

“I’m feeling in good shape as we get back to business,” he said. "I always say that Spa is the perfect place to restart the season because it’s such a special track.

“It’s one of the best races of the year and I love the high-speed corners such as Pouhon. It’s a long lap, too, so when you hook everything up it’s very satisfying.

“Spa usually produces good racing, as well, the first sector and the approach to Les Combes offer good opportunities to overtake.

“I still remember the first lap last year when we were fighting for the lead. It was such a special feeling to get a good result. I hope we can do something similar this year.

“The key to being quick is to find the right trade-off between top speed and downforce. You want to be quick through the corners without losing too much top speed down the straights. We are on full throttle for about 70% of the lap so you don’t want too much drag.”