ESPNF1 Staff
August 4, 2011
Paul di Resta took a seventh place finish in Hungary © Getty Images
Force India team principal Vijay Mallya believes his team is starting to show its true potential in 2011 after a slow start to the season.
In the first nine races of the season Force India took just 12 points, but has more than doubled that tally in the last two races. Adrian Sutil finished a season's best eighth in Germany before Paul di Resta took the best result of his short F1 career with a seventh place finish in Hungary.
Mallya believes the last two races have been a true reflection of his team's form.
"We had a slow start to the season, because I think the first few flyaway races were just an extension of our development programme," he said. "But once we got going from the European season onwards, particularly from Monaco, we've improved almost every race. These last few races, where we have qualified in Q3, say it all. To be in the top 10 in such a fiercely competitive field is quite remarkable, and quite satisfying."
He added: "It's the result that counts. I'm very encouraged and very happy. Development work through the season is obviously paying off. The car is getting better and more competitive and easier to drive. The drivers are highly motivated and clearly they are putting in their very best. In Germany it was Adrian, and in Hungary, Paul."
The Force India has been strong at high-speed circuits in recent years and Giancarlo Fisichella took the team's first points with a podium at Spa Francorchamps - the venue for the next grand prix - in 2009. Mallya reckons the car will still be quick again this year but is not expecting a repeat of Fisichella's heroics.
"It was an absolutely fantastic moment to see the car in pole position in 2009 and Giancarlo Fisichella on the podium," he added. "But that car could only go very fast in a straight line, and pretty much didn't do very much else! Now it's doing everything that's asked of it, irrespective of the track. I think that's a better position to be in."
He added: "The car [2011] is going to be quick, I think. If you look at the sector maximum speeds in the race in Hungary, in S1 Adrian was the quickest, and in S3, Paul was the quickest. So this car has pace. But it also has good downforce to handle the corners as well. I'll be looking forward to Spa, and hopefully a strong showing."
Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)
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