Force India aim to be back among points as F1 returns to Europe
May 17th, 2011 - 8:03 pm ICT by IANSBarcelona, May 17 (IANS) Force India are confident of getting back amongst the points as Formula One (F1) returns to Europe with the Spanish Grand Prix here this weekend.
Force India started the 2011 season on a promising note with four points from races in Australia and Malaysia. But the team failed to capitalise on the impressive qualifying pace set by drivers Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta in the China and Turkey and finished without points.
Most teams are familiar with the 4.6km Circuit de Catalunya track here and Force India, with upgrades on the car, are keen to make an impact.
“I am really looking forward to this weekend because I probably know Barcelona better than any other track on the calendar. We did two tests there in the winter and I had four days in the car so I already feel quite well prepared. It is a track that all the drivers know like the back of their hand and the teams have so much data already,” said di Resta.
“The aim for the weekend is to get back in the points. We have been close to the top ten in all the races, so hopefully we can stay in the hunt.”
The team’s more experienced driver, Sutil, will be under pressure to perform after being slower than his rookie team mate for major part of the season. The German will have a point to prove on the race track after being accused of physical assault on Renault owner Eric Luz in a Shanghai nightclub during the Chinese Grand Prix last month.
Sutil rated the track as ‘difficult’ and the one which encourage overtaking.
“The first three corners are quite difficult. It is a quick complex and it is important to get Turn One right to have the correct line through the next couple of corners,” said Sutil of the circuit comprising 16 turns.
“The first and second sectors are high speed and you need to have the right aero balance. But the final part of the lap is quite slow and the mechanical set-up is more important. The difficult thing is to find the golden middle. I think we should see some overtaking. There is a long straight and tyre degradation will be high. I am sure the race will be a bit different to what we have seen in previous years,” he added.
- Substantial work left to ready car for Spanish GP: Di Resta - May 09, 2012
- Force India drawing inspiration from last year's race at Valencia - Jun 21, 2011
- Force India confident of maintaining form in Hungarian GP - Jul 28, 2011
- Force India keen to make a mark in their home race - Jul 05, 2011
- Force India target better qualifying spot at Monaco GP - May 25, 2011
- An emotional and special moment: Mallya - Oct 28, 2011
- Force India confident of good showing in Shanghai - Apr 11, 2011
- Sahara Force India happy with performance - Oct 29, 2011
- Force India disappoint, Vettel wins Spanish Grand Prix - May 22, 2011
- Alonso wins British Grand Prix, Force India draw blank - Jul 10, 2011
- Hamilton takes maiden pole in Korea; di Resta, Sutil 9th and 10th - Oct 15, 2011
- Belgian Grand Prix: Force India disappoint, Vettel secures pole - Aug 27, 2011
- Italian GP: Di Resta's 8th place puts Force India ahead of Sauber - Sep 11, 2011
- Vettel races to another victory, Sutil finishes 9th at European GP - Jun 26, 2011
- Vetell becomes World Champion in Japan, Force India miss out on points - Oct 09, 2011
Tags: adrian sutil, aero, aim, barcelona, f1, force india, formula one, four points, grand prix, high speed, pace, physical assault, promising note, renault, resta, rookie team, sectors, shanghai, team mate, three corners