Racing Point's Stroll says putting car on a diet made it faster

Lance Stroll credited a successful car diet for his SportPesa's Racing Point team's much-improved showing in Friday's practice sessions at the German Grand Prix.

The Canadian driver and his team-mate Sergio Perez finished in the top ten in the afternoon. After some weekends in the lower reaches of the time-sheets, it was progress that satisfied the team.

"It is good to see we are in the upper end of things for a change," said Stroll. "It has been a while so it is always a good start to the weekend.

"The car is very different here -- she's actually been on a diet!

"It is good and we have to keep it up. Days like this are always nice, but it's a practice session and it doesn't count for anything..."

Perez said: "When we look at our balance and our levels of pace, I think we have definitely done a good improvement -- and the car is feeling better.

"I think we can work around it a little bit better, but I think we have a lot of work to do in terms of balancing the car."

Stroll was seventh and Perez 10th in Friday's second practice session.