Running as high as sixth, Adrian Sutil aquaplaned off the circuit with just five laps to go as Force India came tantalisingly close to securing its maiden Formula One points in the rain-lashed Chinese Grand Prix before faltering in the closing stages in Shanghai on Sunday.
Teammate Giancarlo Fisichella finished 14th.
In what was the most competitive performance by the outfit this season, Sutil pitted and refuelled on lap four under the first safety car period and then again on lap 19, which allowed him to move steadily up the field until he was fighting with defending world champion Lewis Hamilton for sixth.
Rain increased just minutes from the end and, on worn tyres, Sutil was unable to catch his car from aquaplaning off the track and into the barriers. Rediff News
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“We took a risk with the strategy with a very early stop and it was a long way to go with one set of tyres,” he said
“Then it started to rain again and it was very hard to keep the car on the circuit.
“Sometimes even in a straight line in fourth or fifth gear I was struggling with aquaplaning and I was very lucky to keep the car on the circuit for so long.
“I just feel bad for everyone here.
“It was a very good strategy call, but that’s what we had to do: take a risk.”
Force India team boss Vijay Mallya admitted that it was heartbreaking to see Adrian Sutil crash out of seventh place with just five laps to go, but said he was still proud of the young German. ITV
“What a phenomenal race and yet what heartbreak,” Mallya said. “We can all be very proud of Adrian and the team’s achievements today.”
“He has proved yet again that he has a genuine flair in the wet and came desperately close to scoring those elusive points once more.” USA Today
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