Even though his outfit is the only one not to earn a point this season, billionaire Force India owner Vijay Mallya says the team has done the country proud.
The podium finishes have yet to be achieved but Mallya remains upbeat with three races left this year, starting at the Fuji Speedway here in Japan on Sunday.
“I am a great optimist,” he said. “In any situation there are positives and, even though you cannot gloss over problems, you really need to build on the good parts and make sure that the negatives are not repeated.”
Asked what he expected from Japan this week, he replied: “The same I expect every time we go racing—reliability, dedication, enthusiasm and passion.
“I understand it’s difficult, but Formula One is so competitive now that you can’t let your game slip for one second. Of course I’d like to see points, but let’s be realistic.”
Despite the failure of drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil to make a mark, Mallya, who owns Kingfisher Airlines, said interest in India, which is expected to host its maiden Grand Prix in 2011, remained huge.
But Fisichella, who made his Grand Prix debut with Minardi in 1996 and has competed in 211 races, said it was unfair to say the car’s development was not going to plan.
“No, that’s not correct,” he said. “We are always moving forward and we have kept up with the field with honour. But every other team has done the same and this is why our progress is so little noticed.”
“To score we need special conditions, as the car this year does not have enough speed for us to do it in any other way,” he said.
“I only know that my boss, Vijay Mallya, has promised me a good car in 2009 and I trust him one hundred percent,” he said.
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