British Grand Prix Preview
2011
Tuesday ,5 July 2011
Vijay’s Vision
Chairman and Team Principal, Dr. Vijay Mallya, talks about the team’s hopes for Silverstone.
We arrive at Silverstone off the back of one of our strongest performances of the year in Valencia. The car was competitive in practice, we qualified in the top ten and finished in the points. It was proof that all our hard work to improve the car is starting to pay off. In fact, the progress we have made since Monaco has given us the reassurance that we are moving in the right direction.
For this weekend we will look to repeat the high of Valencia. The car continues to evolve and we will also have to see what happens with the changes to the regulations regarding blown floors. It is something that will have an impact on all the teams and we will need to assess that. But our motivation is high and we are ready to build on our momentum.
The British Grand Prix is always a very important weekend for Force India. Our factory is just a stone’s throw from the Silverstone circuit and there is always great support for our team and drivers. Although India will be our proper home Grand Prix, Silverstone has always been a home away from home for us and I’m thoroughly looking forward to it.
Paul on Silverstone
Paul Di Resta gets set for his very first British Grand Prix as a Formula One driver.
Coming to Silverstone as a Formula One driver will feel very special. It’s going to be one of the highlights of the season and a very busy weekend.
Silverstone is not a track where I’ve raced at much in the past. My only race to date has been on the national circuit in a Formula Renault. So when I drove in free practice last year it was my first experience of the full Grand Prix circuit.
It’s a great lap and a place where you can really feel a Formula 1 car excel through the quick corners. And this year, with the new layout, there’s a high-speed end of the lap so it will be interesting to see how the tyres hold on in qualifying.
I remember last year that the atmosphere was just incredible. The British fans love Formula One, the grandstands are always packed and the whole place feels alive. I can’t wait to feel that buzz again this year.
My target is to hopefully make the top ten in qualifying. We’ve been there or there abouts for the last few races and we need to be there if we want to fight for points.
Adrian on Silvestone
Adrian Sutil looks forward to racing on one of his favourite circuits.
Silverstone is a great circuit. I like the high-speed section through Copse, Maggots and Becketts, which feels very nice to drive. It’s definitely a place where you feel the performance of an F1 car. And after three street circuits, it will be a nice change to be back at a traditional old-school circuit.
They changed the circuit last year and I have to say I enjoy the new layout just as much as the old one. The new turns one and two make up a really quick right-left chicane and it’s taken almost flat in qualifying. I also think that the new layout makes it a bit easier to overtake because the old lap was so quick that it was almost impossible to follow a car closely.
Of course it’s also a very busy weekend because our factory is next to the circuit. It gives me a chance to spend quite a bit of time there in the build up to the race to see the people who don’t come to the tracks. We always have a barbecue at the factory over the weekend, which I usually go along to.
Meet the Force
It’s time to get to know Paul’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, a little better as he answers our questions…
When did you join the team?
March 2005.
Sum up your job in three words…
Stimulating, unforgiving and alluring.
Which was the first Grand Prix you attended?
It was Silverstone 1987 - I remember seeing that famous move by Mansell on Piquet in the closing laps.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I used to play drums in a band. We appeared on BBC radio and played several top venues but were never signed by a label.
What’s the best thing about working in F1?
I’ve always produced my best work under pressure and in F1 the pressure is always on.
Do you have any superstitions or unusual habits?
I’m an obsessive-compulsive, much to my wife’s frustration.
What couldn’t you live without?
Wine. I hope to own a vineyard one day - it’s part of the retirement master plan.
Tell us something nobody knows about you…
I have a passion for contemporary design and architecture.
How do you switch off from F1?
It’s very difficult to switch off completely. I find cooking immensely relaxing, although I do put myself under pressure to deliver.
Whyte & Mackay’s Guide to London
While you’re in Britain, why not head down to London for a few days. Our team partner, Whyte & Mackay, makers of Scotch whisky, offer their survival tips for a week in the capital.
Where to stay?
London offers some of the top hotels in the world. Why not stay at the fashionable Hilton hotel on Park Lane where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city from the 28th floor.
As an alternative, check into Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, which represents the refined sophistication of modern British luxury. Each room is decorated with a mix of antiques and contemporary artwork.
Where to drink?
Lovers of Scotch whisky won’t be disappointed with a visit to Boisdale of Belgravia, just north of Buckingham Palace Road and a short walk from Victoria. Its bars, restaurants and private dining room are open Monday to Saturday and offer a selection of menus to suit every budget.
Also worth a visit is Albannach, a whisky bar set in the heart of the capital. It comprises a dramatic ground floor restaurant and bar with unrivalled views of Trafalgar Square. Enjoy a great seasonal menu, fantastic drinks, and a world-beating collection of Scotch whiskies.
Where to eat?
Texture located on Portman Street in Mayfair is housed in a beautifully restored Georgian building. Check out the light, healthy menu prepared by some of the most trendy chefs in the city.
HIX on Brewer Street is also popular. It opened its doors in 2009 and soon won London’s Time Out Award for Best New Restaurant. Enjoy Mark Hix’s signature menu of seasonal British food and an eclectic collection of artworks from celebrated artists such as Mat Collishaw, Tracey Emin, and Damien Hirst.
Creating a masterpiece
It’s often said that a Formula One car is a piece of art in itself. But in the case of Force India’s Art Car, those words have never been more true. We’ve teamed up with renowned motorsport artist, Dexter Brown, and asked him to use one of our cars as the canvas for his latest creation. The end result is the first Formula One Art Car painted by hand, which will be auctioned to raise funds for charity later this year. Look out for the car at various high-profile events this week, including the Grand Prix Ball and our post-race party on Sunday night.
Credit: Force India (www.forceindiaf1.com)
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