Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/06):
FP3: 18th 1:50.034 (16 laps)
Q1: 18th 1:48.226 (9 laps)
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/05):
FP3: 17th 1:49.949 (16 laps)
Q1: 20th 1:48.447 (9 laps)
The Force India Formula One Team will start tomorrow’s Belgian Grand Prix with Adrian Sutil in 18th and Giancarlo Fisichella in 20th positions. In yet another close session, the team was just one tenth from passing into the second qualifying segment, with both drivers just hundredths of a second from their closest rivals.
With the 7.004km Spa-Francorchamps circuit presenting several overtaking possibilities there is every chance that the pair could improve on their starting positions in tomorrow’s 44 lap race.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
‘It was a very close qualifying today, with seven hundredths to the two Hondas and also very close to 16th place. I think we expected to be at this pace and we can be quite happy with the performance. We knew that Honda would be our closest competitor and it was close. We know we have a fast car on the straights here and I think we can do some overtaking and have a good race tomorrow.’
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21)
‘We were struggling a little with the grip level in the qualifying session, but the balance wasn’t too bad. I had a bit of traffic on the last run and also some problems with the rear tyres graining and I lost the rear end in three places, so I lost at least three to four tenths. I think there was a possibility to get 16th position, but tomorrow there is a good chance to move up some places.’
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
‘It was a very close session today and I think both drivers did a good job. It is a shame that a tenth would have picked up several places on the grid, but overall we have shown that we have closed the gap to the Williams’ and the works Hondas so a good effort from the team. Tomorrow we have to look to beat them out on the track.’
Dr. Vijay Mallya, chairman and managing director
‘I think today we have maintained the momentum we gathered in Valencia. Again we were very close to works’ cars and I feel we performed as well as we could have done at this track. We all know Spa is a classic circuit with several places one can overtake, and I am sure that the hungry drivers we have will not be hindered by their starting positions for long. Add the unpredictable weather to the mix and I think we could have a fantastic race on our hands!’
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