Force India F1 Team

Force India Formula 1 Team 2008 Austrlian Grand Prix opener was disappointing for the team with both the cars retiring early in the GP. Force India F1 Team has performed well throughout the weekend with the two VJM-01 cars featuring regularly in the top 15 positions. In the Qualifying of Australian Grand Prix Force India F1 team drivers Giancarlo Fisichella managed 16th and Adrian Sutil started from the Pit lane.

Fisichella, starting from 16th on the grid, was a victim of a first-corner accident involving Glock and Piquet, with the resulting damage ending his Force India debut. Other driver Adrian Sutil started from the pit lane and had slowly progressed to the 13th position by lap eight where his car developed a hydraulic pressure problem and bought his race to an early end.

However the team is pretty optimistic and will  now move from Australia to Malaysia for the second race of the year, with high hopes of improvements on this race result.

Drivers Quotes after the Australian Grand Prix

Adrian Sutil (car 20)
‘A big disappointment, especially when I watched the race afterwards, but it was good while it lasted. In the opening laps I could stay with the guys in front of me and could overtake to get up to 13th position, but then I had a hydraulic pressure problem. I had to go back to the pits, so at that point my race was over. We have to hope for more in Malaysia, but I think we showed an improvement over last year, particularly over the longer runs in practice, so I am confident we can really do better there.’

Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21) 
‘I am very disappointed as I lost the race at the first corner because another driver came in like a kamikaze into my car and it was very frustrating, especially considering a race like this where there was a possibility to score lots of points. It was a good opportunity and I am really disappointed. Let’s hope for more in Malaysia.’

Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman and Managing Director 
‘I have been very pleased with this weekend, despite the frustration of going out early in this astonishing race. I was however very encouraged with the pace we showed in the practice sessions. Although qualifying was ultimately disappointing, last year in Australia this team was well off the pace, this year we were up with the midfield.

‘It was a shame we missed a point-scoring opportunity here. Overall it was an encouraging weekend and the positive is that we have another event in just one week’s time where we can try again.’

Tags: F1-India //