This year brings more optimism for Force India: Mallya

LONDON - Force India boss Vijay Mallya is confident of his team producing better results after the launch of their new car VJM04.

Force India finished seventh in the constructors’ championship last season and with the upgraded car the team is aiming higher.

Earlier, the team retained German Adrian Sutil and brought a new face in Paul di Resta to complete the drivers’ line-up for the season starting in March with Bahrain Grand Prix.

“2010 was an exceptional year for the team,” said team principal Vijay Mallya.

“And this year there is even more to be optimistic about. We have got three race drivers that are hungry to take the next steps in their careers, whether that be points, podiums or wins.”

“We have an experienced technical team that have the ingenuity, flexibility and drive to adapt to the new wave of rule changes, and we also have the tools and resources in our partnerships with McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines to aim even higher,” he said.

Mallya is particularly excited about the inaugural home race in New Delhi.

“It will be a very special event, and one that I personally can’t wait for, the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. What better place would there be to reach some of those aims than on our home soil?”

The team ran the old car at the pre-season test in Valencia last week, but will now use the VJM04 for the next test in Jerez.