Adrian Sutil: "We've got targets to finish at least one spot higher than last year so consistency has got to be key" © Sutton Images
Adrian Sutil believes Force India is in a stronger position this year to mount a season-long assault on the top five in the constructors' championship.
The team finished seventh last year after missing out on sixth by one point to Williams, but Sutil believes it lost its way towards the end of the season. During the online launch of the new VJM-04, chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer revealed Force India was aiming for fifth in the constructors' championship and Sutil believes it is in a better position to achieve that this year.
"Last year we started the season really strongly and I was qualifying in the top ten at most races and regularly scoring points before the summer break, but then the second part of the year was a bit more challenging," he said. "We were still developing but the other teams had a quicker development rate, which meant we dropped some points. It's something we've worked really hard to address this year, tying everything in together with regards the wind tunnel, track work and the design process back in the factory. We've got targets to finish at least one spot higher than last year so consistency has got to be key. As for podiums, why not - we should certainly be in the mix at some races."
He said he was aiming to break into the top ten in the drivers' championship after finishing 11th in 2010.
"I'm genuinely excited about the 2011 season," he added. "I just missed out on the top 10 last year in the drivers' standings - I'm pretty hopeful I can get in there this season! The progress the team has shown over the past two years has been very impressive and what I've seen in the factory and at the wind tunnel over the past weeks indicates that the rate will continue this year. I feel very good and confident; the team and I know each other very well and we know how to get the most from each other."
Sutil's new team-mate Paul di Resta was less keen to commit to targets until he gets a proper taste of the new car.
"I don't want to say exact targets on record as there are so many factors that can come into play. What I do want to do is to have a positive approach, finish, be consistent and contribute strongly to the team's overall performance. We've got high aims of finishing in a good constructors' championship position and I know that I've got to play my part in this."
Credit: ESPN F1 (espn.com)
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