Paul Di Resta is looking forward to Formula 1's return to Europe and is eyeing up a big points haul in Spain.
The Scot finished fourth last time out in Bahrain and is feeling confident that the VJM06 will go well at the Circuit de Catalunya. His team-mate Adrian Sutil also has a good feeling going in to the race weekend and is looking to stay out of trouble.
Force India has so far proved to be best of the race, ahead of the likes of Sauber and McLaren at this stage of the game. The car has looked strong in both the wet and dry conditions, although Sutil is still not fully confident with his wet weather driving.
Di Resta reflected on the first four races and is happy with the teams progress. Speaking in a team press release he said "We've got to feel very happy with how things are going and I want to congratulate everybody in the team. We took a very sensible approach to the winter and focused on understanding the key areas that drive performance, which seems to have paid off."
He realised the importance of picking up points at the start of the season, particularly for trying to maintain fifth in the standings. "It's important to pick up good points early in the season against out competitors and to be ahead of McLaren after four races is a credit to the team and a nice feeling."
That elusive podium finish was just snatched out if his hands in the closing stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix but he is hopeful that it will come soon. "Of course we want to be on the podium and it was very close in Bahrain, but I'm sure it will come soon enough.
He certainly has his eye on a good haul of points in Spain, adding "We need to keep doing what we're doing, but at the same time we know the return to Europe always sees every team bring more upgrades. Hopefully we can stay fighting with the big teams and keep picking up the points."
His team-mate Adrian Sutil has had a difficult few races on his return to the sport, finishing strongly in Australia but retiring from Malaysia and China. He looked on course for a points finish in Bahrain but he collided with Felipe Massa on the first lap, giving him a puncture.
Alas he is happy with the cars pace and his race performances so far. "The start of the season was good, especially if you consider I had only two or three test days to prepare. Australia was a strong race and the best way to come back to Formula One. Since then I've been unlucky with being hit in China and the puncture in Bahrain, and I definitely missed out on a few good points. One the other hand, there are lots of positives, especially the performance of the car and the experience of the races."
After three non-scores so far he admits that the main aim is to finish without incident and to score some good points. "It is important, after three difficult races without points, to finish the race without incidents. If I do that, I should have the pace to be among the front-runners. I have to do my job, avoid mistakes and hopefully my luck will change."
The German has been encouraged by the cars pace so far and like Di Resta, he expects big points to come his way very soon. "Wherever we have gone so far, the car has been competitive, so the next few races should see us scoring points and close to the podium."
Team Principal Vijay Mallya has finally had time to catch his breath after a busy and successful start to the season. Reflecting on the strong results he said "The return to Europe after the first few flyaway races is an excellent moment to catch our breath and evaluate where we stand. Overall the balance is extremely positive for Sahara Force India with our best ever start to a season."
He added "In terms of points scored we are nine points up compared to last year and we've been up at the sharp end fighting with the big teams."
Despite luck not always going their way, he is confident that a podium finish is on the cards. "Having come so tantalisingly close to the podium with Paul last time out, we head to Barcelona full of optimism. The hard work everyone is putting in is paying off and we hope to see the rewards this coming weekend.
With a car that looks seemingly strong on any type of circuit, the team are right to be optimistic. Whether their smaller budget can keep up in the development race is another matter though...
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| (c) Sahara Force India F1 Team |
Force India has so far proved to be best of the race, ahead of the likes of Sauber and McLaren at this stage of the game. The car has looked strong in both the wet and dry conditions, although Sutil is still not fully confident with his wet weather driving.
Di Resta reflected on the first four races and is happy with the teams progress. Speaking in a team press release he said "We've got to feel very happy with how things are going and I want to congratulate everybody in the team. We took a very sensible approach to the winter and focused on understanding the key areas that drive performance, which seems to have paid off."
He realised the importance of picking up points at the start of the season, particularly for trying to maintain fifth in the standings. "It's important to pick up good points early in the season against out competitors and to be ahead of McLaren after four races is a credit to the team and a nice feeling."
That elusive podium finish was just snatched out if his hands in the closing stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix but he is hopeful that it will come soon. "Of course we want to be on the podium and it was very close in Bahrain, but I'm sure it will come soon enough.
He certainly has his eye on a good haul of points in Spain, adding "We need to keep doing what we're doing, but at the same time we know the return to Europe always sees every team bring more upgrades. Hopefully we can stay fighting with the big teams and keep picking up the points."
His team-mate Adrian Sutil has had a difficult few races on his return to the sport, finishing strongly in Australia but retiring from Malaysia and China. He looked on course for a points finish in Bahrain but he collided with Felipe Massa on the first lap, giving him a puncture.
Alas he is happy with the cars pace and his race performances so far. "The start of the season was good, especially if you consider I had only two or three test days to prepare. Australia was a strong race and the best way to come back to Formula One. Since then I've been unlucky with being hit in China and the puncture in Bahrain, and I definitely missed out on a few good points. One the other hand, there are lots of positives, especially the performance of the car and the experience of the races."
After three non-scores so far he admits that the main aim is to finish without incident and to score some good points. "It is important, after three difficult races without points, to finish the race without incidents. If I do that, I should have the pace to be among the front-runners. I have to do my job, avoid mistakes and hopefully my luck will change."
The German has been encouraged by the cars pace so far and like Di Resta, he expects big points to come his way very soon. "Wherever we have gone so far, the car has been competitive, so the next few races should see us scoring points and close to the podium."
Team Principal Vijay Mallya has finally had time to catch his breath after a busy and successful start to the season. Reflecting on the strong results he said "The return to Europe after the first few flyaway races is an excellent moment to catch our breath and evaluate where we stand. Overall the balance is extremely positive for Sahara Force India with our best ever start to a season."
He added "In terms of points scored we are nine points up compared to last year and we've been up at the sharp end fighting with the big teams."
Despite luck not always going their way, he is confident that a podium finish is on the cards. "Having come so tantalisingly close to the podium with Paul last time out, we head to Barcelona full of optimism. The hard work everyone is putting in is paying off and we hope to see the rewards this coming weekend.
With a car that looks seemingly strong on any type of circuit, the team are right to be optimistic. Whether their smaller budget can keep up in the development race is another matter though...
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