Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/02): DNF Lap 41 (Accident)
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/05): 14th 1:36:04.448 (56 laps)
The Force India Formula One Team put in a competitive performance in today’s European Grand Prix in a hot and humid Valencia, Spain. Italian Giancarlo Fisichella finished in a challenging 14th position following a solid one-stop race, while Adrian Sutil also showed strongly until his retirement on lap 42.
Giancarlo moved up four places from his starting position in the opening laps and battled with the Honda of Button throughout the race, finishing 15 seconds ahead of 15th-placed Nakajima. Adrian, who had opted for a two-stop strategy, moved up on his grid slot in his first stint and was sitting in a comfortable 16th following his second stop, however an error under braking on the slippery circuit led to a brush with the barriers and retirement.
The team will participate in a three-day test in Monza next week before the Belgian Grand Prix in just two weeks’ time.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
‘The first stint was OK as I was closing the gap to the rest of the field and then I could pass a few cars in the hairpin. It was a shame that I couldn’t pass Giancarlo quickly enough to take full advantage of the two stop strategy and lost a little time. Once I passed him it was getting better but it was still difficult to pass more cars. Then under braking I lost the rear and tried to avoid a crash, but the barrier was too close and that was it.’
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21)
‘It was a difficult race with the very hot conditions, but overall I think it was a good performance. The strategy wasn’t bad, but we did expect a safety car after seeing the other support races, but there weren’t any incidents so it didn’t come. Our pace was good, it wasn’t far off the others, and we made a step forward with the gearbox. We now have to keep focussed and keep moving forward.’
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
‘Although it was disappointing not to get two cars to the finish, both drivers drove excellent races, with good pace showing we’d made a clear step forward. Adrian was honest enough to admit he made a mistake, but until that point he was having a very good race. We had put one car on one stop and the other on two to cover all bases in case of a safety car, which we were expecting for this race, and had he finished, Adrian on his two stops would have been able to finish just behind Giancarlo. Overall it’s been a very positive weekend for the team.’
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and managing director
‘I think this weekend has been one of our most competitive to date, with strong performances in practice and qualifying, and now a very close race showing we have made a step forward and now are racing with the other teams in front. We’ve got to keep our heads down and keep going in that direction and the results will start to come.’
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