Force India aims high this season

NEW DELHI - After a stupendous performance in 2009, Force India has set an ambitious target of finishing among the top five in the Formula One season this year.

Force India driver Adrian Sutil said their aim is to step up their performance and log more points.

Sutil said the entire team believes that they can achieve the goal they have set for the year.

“Force India is on its way to the top. Last year, it was good racing and we want to continue the trend.”

“The new aerodynamical changes in the car will be of major help. It will help us in scoring points and finishing at the podium,” Sutil said during a GO-Kart racing event here with the winners of Kingfisher Premium contest.

Last month, Force India and Computational Research Laboratories (CRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, entered into a multi-million dollar partnership deal to offer a fully automated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solution to aid the design of the team’s next generation race cars and improve aerodynamic efficiency.

“The car is being developed and it will be ready by February. We will have the testing after that and be ready for the Bahrain Grand Prix in March. It’s going to be an exciting season.”

“There are a right mix of people in the team and we are moving in the right direction.”

Sutil said that the team has a more balanced look now.

“After a long time, there is stability in the team. Nothing has changed for the 2010 season. It is a positive sign for this small team. Actually things changed very quickly after Vijay (Mallya) took over. There was drastic changes in the organisation and the management.

“There was a little mess in the beginning, changes were made in the car and all that. Now we are not only scoring points but there is a feeling for the team. People are working without any argument. As a driver it gives you more confidence,” Sutil said.

Last season, Force India finished second at the Belgian GP courtesy Giancarlo Fisichella, who later joined Ferrari. Sutil then came fourth at the Italian GP at Monza.

Force India’s Chief Operating Officer, Otmar Szafnauer said they are looking at the new season with lot of hope.

“Last season we finished ninth at the constructors’ standing… There are four new teams this season. There is significant changes in the regulations as well. Our aim will be to stay ahead of the new teams and compete with the established teams. We are looking at the top half, finishing fifth or sixth this season will be a significant step.”

Asked about when an Indian driver would be seen in Force India cockpit, Szafnauer said: “When you are in Formula One, the preference in priority and nationality comes second. But as Vijay Mallya said, India is a huge country and it can’t be that there are no talented drivers. We will be looking for future Indian drivers. There is a racing culture in the cities and there has to be talented drivers who can compete at that level.”