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Team Preview Australia GP
First few races may be tough
2011 marks the fourth year of competition in the FIA Formula 1T World Championship for Force India. After its strongest Constructors' Championship finish to date, the team is hoping to better the 68 points it achieved to secure seventh place in the series last year. The team's solid 2010 performance saw it secure 15 points scoring finishes, nine Q3 slots and three double top ten finishes - establishing Force India as a consistently competitive outfit, regularly challenging for points and podiums.
With over 5,500km covered during the pre-season testing, the squad is now looking forward to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Albert Park, Melbourne, next week.
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal
2010 was a remarkable year for Force India, how did you feel after the season?
2010 was an exceptional year for the team, 68 points overall, seventh in the championship with only teams who had previously won world titles ahead of us, which demonstrated we are still on target to achieve our goals. And this year there is even more to be optimistic about.
What are your thoughts looking forward to 2011?
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. Andrew Green, our new technical director, is responsible for the VJM04 and it has shown some promising signs during pre-season testing.
Are you confident that you have a strong driver line-up in Adrian, Paul and Nico?
We have race drivers who are hungry to take the next steps in their careers, whether that be points, podiums or wins. Paul proved his mettle in DTM and for the team last year, making valuable contribution to the development of the VJM04 with his simulation work. Nico (Hülkenberg) joins as test and reserve driver having taken pole position in Brazil in his rookie season in 2010 and we are glad to start our long-term relationship together. Adrian scored 47 points for the team last year and finished just outside the top ten. He is one of the most consistent young drivers and we are very pleased that he is with us for a fifth consecutive race season.
Adrian Sutil (car 14, VJM04/04)
Adrian, how was the VJM04 during winter testing?
We did a lot of testing in general and a good deal of tyre work as this is the most important element for us to understand. We have a reliable car, which is positive, and this will help us during the first few races. But we still need to look for more speed and we require a little more time to understand the developments and aero side of the car. The first few races may be a little tough in that respect, but for sure we shall pick up our race pace soon.
How do you think the new regulations will affect the racing this year?
I think the new rules are quite interesting. They are challenging for a driver as you have to concentrate even more to press quite a few buttons during qualifying and the race. I like it though, and have been able to handle the changes quite well. The new regulations make more power available so that the car can go faster, especially on the straights, which is always a good thing. Overtaking should be easier and there will probably be more pitstops, so we are in for some exciting races.
Looking forward to Australia, what are your expectations?
I hope that I will be able to finish the race as last year the gearbox let us down. It is always a good feeling to finish the first race, as you then know that the season has really started. It was a crazy race in Australia last year when the rain came in; I think only ten cars made it to finish. This is also why I think it is so important to finish the race in Melbourne - there are usually points to be won if you see the chequered flag.
With over 5,500km covered during the pre-season testing, the squad is now looking forward to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Albert Park, Melbourne, next week.
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal
2010 was a remarkable year for Force India, how did you feel after the season?
2010 was an exceptional year for the team, 68 points overall, seventh in the championship with only teams who had previously won world titles ahead of us, which demonstrated we are still on target to achieve our goals. And this year there is even more to be optimistic about.
What are your thoughts looking forward to 2011?
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. Andrew Green, our new technical director, is responsible for the VJM04 and it has shown some promising signs during pre-season testing.
Are you confident that you have a strong driver line-up in Adrian, Paul and Nico?
We have race drivers who are hungry to take the next steps in their careers, whether that be points, podiums or wins. Paul proved his mettle in DTM and for the team last year, making valuable contribution to the development of the VJM04 with his simulation work. Nico (Hülkenberg) joins as test and reserve driver having taken pole position in Brazil in his rookie season in 2010 and we are glad to start our long-term relationship together. Adrian scored 47 points for the team last year and finished just outside the top ten. He is one of the most consistent young drivers and we are very pleased that he is with us for a fifth consecutive race season.
Adrian Sutil (car 14, VJM04/04)
Adrian, how was the VJM04 during winter testing?
We did a lot of testing in general and a good deal of tyre work as this is the most important element for us to understand. We have a reliable car, which is positive, and this will help us during the first few races. But we still need to look for more speed and we require a little more time to understand the developments and aero side of the car. The first few races may be a little tough in that respect, but for sure we shall pick up our race pace soon.
How do you think the new regulations will affect the racing this year?
I think the new rules are quite interesting. They are challenging for a driver as you have to concentrate even more to press quite a few buttons during qualifying and the race. I like it though, and have been able to handle the changes quite well. The new regulations make more power available so that the car can go faster, especially on the straights, which is always a good thing. Overtaking should be easier and there will probably be more pitstops, so we are in for some exciting races.
Looking forward to Australia, what are your expectations?
I hope that I will be able to finish the race as last year the gearbox let us down. It is always a good feeling to finish the first race, as you then know that the season has really started. It was a crazy race in Australia last year when the rain came in; I think only ten cars made it to finish. This is also why I think it is so important to finish the race in Melbourne - there are usually points to be won if you see the chequered flag.
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