It would be great for all if Vijay Mallya’s squad can continue their form over the winter and into the new season, but this is a tall order. The Silverstone-based team are up against the well-funded Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull squads. However, if one thing can be learned from last season, it is that you should never rule out the smaller outfits, and more importantly, the talented people who work for them.

Force India continue their relationship with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz, the power plant proving to be worthy of its place in the back of many cars on the grid. Even Red Bull Racing were after a Norbert Haug-looking signature on a contract. But the association with McLaren also provides a gearbox and technical support, which has undoubtedly helped the squad push forward and ahead of the midfield.

The third car from Force India (the second designed under complete control of Mallya) is an evolution of the 2009 VJM02, although the team insist they have made big strides with the rear, developing the diffuser being a key area. The externals show a higher nose and shark-fin engine cover, a revised front wing, smaller and curvier sidepods and no Newey-dip.

The livery adorning the car is pretty much identical to last year’s, which is no bad thing – I quite like the green and orange mix and depicts the team’s Indian roots. In terms of sponsors, it is always good to see a variety of logos on the car, especially as Force India are one of the lesser-funded teams. Unfortunately, it is also worthy of note that most of the companies shown on the car’s bodywork are owned by or related in one way or another to Vijay Mallya. Still, money is money, as they say.

Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi continue to pilot the Force India, and while consistency can prove helpful in team stability and chassis development, one has to start considering whether Sutil is worthy of his contract. In 2009, Giancarlo Fisichella finally found his groove with the VJM02 and started to show some promise with the car. And although Sutil had some flashes of brilliance, he all-too-often binned it.

Sitting opposite the German is former Red Bull racer Vitantonio Liuzzi – a driver whom I’ve often presumed fashion took precedence over race craft. While Liuzzi maybe a hit with the fans, his results haven’t always been quite so enlightening. However, having only driven a handful of races in 2009, Liuzzi could be given the benefit of the doubt, and retaining a full-time drive in 2010, the Italian driver whom so many speak highly of will be under the spotlight. 2010 will his time to shine, if he can.

It would be a great story if Force India can maintain their momentum from last year and take the challenge to the big four. I fear though that when all the teams get underway in Bahrain, Mallya’s squad will be back in the midfield again.

Force India’s car designation system refers to the initial of the original three team owner’s forenames, Vijay Mallya, Jan Mol and Michel Mol, the final number being an incremental numbering system that for 2010, has reached 3. Hence, VJM03.

Original article by BlogF1.

Meet The Cars: Force India VJM03

When Vijay Mallya announced that Fisichella was to leave his team with immediate effect, the words spoken seemed to imply that the three-time race winner wouldn’t be retained for next year, saying that this deal would secure Giancarlo’s future long-term future. And so Force India lose one Italian, but gain another.

Liuzzi’s time with Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso was dogged with uncompetitive machinery, but at the times the Italian impressed despite being relatively inexperienced. Vitantonio managed to score a point on his debut , but this only came about after the BARs of Jenson Button and Takuma Sato were disqualified 10 days after the event at an FIA hearing.

The following year and after Red Bull had purchased the Minardi team, Liuzzi was given a full-time seat alongside American racer Scott Speed. Although the car wasn’t overly competitive, Liuzzi again managed to score and generally out-performed his team mate. The point Liuzzi earned at the US Grand Prix was the team’s only point that year.

In 2007, the Scuderia Toro Rosso car started to improve after the Red Bull parent squad started to push parts down the chain to the B-Team. The STR gradually got better as the season progressed and Liuzzi again scored points with a sixth place at the Chinese Grand Prix. However, towards the end of the year Scott Speed abruptly left the team and Red Bull managed to acquire Sebastian Vettel from BMW. Vettel outshone Liuzzi almost straight away and in the same Chinese Grand Prix where Vitantonio had scored his best result to date, Vettel went one better and took fourth and the lion’s share of points.

Scuderia Toro Rosso replaced Liuzzi with Sebastien Bourdais for the 2008 season and retained Vettel for another year. Vitantonio moved to Force India to become their test and reserve driver with the hope of being promoted at some point during his tenure with the Silverstone-based squad. With the departure of Fisichella, Mallya has given Tonio this opportunity.

I’m delighted to give Tonio the opportunity to get back into a race seat, which I know he has been itching to do for the past two years.

Force India is now in a very competitive position and we need a driver who can continue this momentum. This will be the chance for Tonio to demonstrate to both the team and the field that he has the commitment, speed and professionalism to perform and I am sure he will seize this opportunity. Vijay Mallya.

Liuzzi made a point of stating that his promotion is related to the accident Felipe Massa suffered, but he is of course pleased to be promoted to the race team.

I can’t wait to get back into the car in race trim, particularly at my home Grand Prix in Monza. I really appreciate the opportunity Vijay has given me, particularly now Force India has a great car that’s performing very well.

Although it’s unfortunate that this came about as an direct result of Felipe’s accident, this is my opportunity to show people what I can do and I’m really looking forward to it. Vitantonio Liuzzi.

Liuzzi has taken part in a couple of tests for the team prior to the season beginning earlier in the year, and more recently did some straight-line running in the VJM02, so the Italian has driven the car and should have a better idea of how it handles than Luca Badoer did of the F60 he was charged with prior to Fisichella joining.

The Italian Grand Prix this upcoming weekend will feature three Italian pilots, with Jarno Trulli in the Toyota, Giancarlo Fisichella in the Ferrari and now Vitantonio Liuzzi in the Force India.

Original article by BlogF1.

Force India Confirm Vitantonio Liuzzi As Fisichella’s Replacement

Ferrari are often considered to be the ultimate Formula One team, especially for young Italians growing up and worshiping those who pilot the cars around the circuits. Fisichella is no different and has not hidden his desire to drive for the marque, an opportunity that heightened after Massa crashed during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. While Felipe is said to be recovering well, Ferrari do not want to place him back in the car until he is 100% fit and ready, and for the past two races, they have been fielding their long-time test driver, Luca Badoer.

However, with a strong car after having developed it tirelessly during the year, Ferrari are starting to make some headway in the constructors championship. Although they will not take the title this year, they do have their eyes set on their current P3 position, and do not want the resurgent McLaren team to take this away from them. In order to secure this position though, the team needs two strong drivers, and from the results of the European and Belgian Grands Prix, it would appear that Badoer is not the driver to have. Although the Italian test driver did well when you consider he hadn’t driven a 2009-spec. car until he arrived in Valencia, and hadn’t raced in decade, the team need someone who can at least score some points alongside Kimi Raikkonen.

For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this. Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo’s long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India. Vijay Mallya.

Mallya stated that the phone call did not come until yesterday (Wednesday), despite speculation being rife in Belgium at the weekend and continuing this week. Fisichella’s superb podium at Spa Francorchamps undoubtedly helped seal the deal, the points earned being Force India’s first and Giancarlo’s first podium in about three years. Mallya also stated that there were no commercial implications resulting from the deal, mentioned after it was speculated that a leftover debt from when the team ran Ferrari engines may have been excused as part of the agreement.

We would like to stress that we have not agreed any financial settlement with Ferrari. This agreement has been made in good faith and for the good of Giancarlo and the sport in general. A competitive Italian driver in a Ferrari for Monza is a positive story for Formula One, which can only help raise the sport’s profile in these difficult times.

We would like to thank Giancarlo for all his help over the past one and a half seasons and for delivering us our first World Championship points last weekend. He has been an integral part of the team and we owe him a great deal for his input behind the scenes and performance out on track. We wish him all the best for the future. Vijay Mallya.

Mallya’s point about this being a positive step for Formula One as a whole once again reiterates the team owner’s belief in the sport, Mallya having given his permission to Brawn to run with Mercedes-Benz engines this year after he secured a technical partnership deal prior to 2009. However, his words also imply that Fisichella was not a part of the team’s ongoing future, stating that this deal secures Giancarlo’s long-term future with Ferrari. Interestingly, and perhaps something has been lost in translation (either literally or in the way it comes across), Mallya’s words also suggest Fisichella will be with Ferrari for longer than the remainder of this year, although if this were to happen it would almost certainly be in a test driver role. Unless of course, Raikkonen has already moved on and Fernando Alonso is not able to move over for 2010.

Either way though, Ferrari will benefit greatly from having a driver in the second car who has actually driven and raced a 2009-spec. car and is generally considered more of a talent than Luca Badoer. With three race wins under his belt from his time spent at Jordan and Renault, Fisichella should be able to accrue a few points and maybe even some podiums. If all things work out well, the Italian may even be able to clinch a victory before the season climaxes on the final lap at Abu Dhabi in November.

I am very grateful to Vijay Mallya for allowing me this opportunity to drive for the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team.

It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous.

I hope in my turn I have helped Force India grow up and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions. They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best. Giancarlo Fisichella.

We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season.

Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career, that he is fast and competitive and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race.

We wish to thank Luca Badoer for the team spirit he demonstrated in these circumstances: it is a shame he was unable to show his true worth in these last two races, tackled under conditions which anyone would have found difficult. Stefano Domenicali.

So nice words all around, and Vijay Mallya even wished Giancarlo his best wishes for the future. There has been no announcement as to who will fill the vacant seat at Force India, although it is expected that test driver and former Scuderia Toro Rosso pilot Vitantonio Liuzzi will make a return. It had been widely expected for the young Italian to be taking over from the elder Italian at the Silverstone-based team next year anyway, making his first return to racing since 2007.

I have long been a bit of a fan of Fisichella, ever since I saw him race well at Hockenheim in 1997, a race in which he competed in the Jordan and pushed Michael Schumacher hard. Eventually, Fisichella retired his car due to a puncture, but acknowledging a well run race, Schumacher gave Giancarlo a lift back to the pitlane after the race was completed. The immortal image of a driver astride a Formula One car at speed (Senna/Mansell esque) once again cropping up and sticking hard in the memory.

It is very pleasing to know that although his career has waned ever since he sat alongside Fernando Alonso in the Renault, and that each move the Italian made appeared to have been decided under a cloud of unlucky-ness, Fisichella should hopefully drive well at Ferrari. Having pushed Raikkonen to the chequered flag in Belgium, surely morale will be brimming and the experienced and determined pilot can continue to impress.

Original article by BlogF1.

Ferrari Announce Fisichella For Remainder Of Season

Giancarlo Fisichella – the experienced Italian pilot – came alive this weekend and after taking a sensational pole position on Saturday, Fisichella managed to keep pace with Ferrari which was only ahead due to KERS at the restart. But although it wasn’t a win, Fisichella’s eventual second place was still the first points for Force India, their first podium, and Giancarlo Fisichella’s first podium since the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix.

Raikkonen’s and Fisichella’s race can be summed up very easily. The Finnish pilot had a great start and was helped by Rubens Barrichello almost stalling on the grid. After the first incident which saw Lewis Hamilton, Jaime Alguersuari, Jenson Button and Romain Grosjean crash out and encourage a safety car period, many drivers took the opportunity to pit. Raikkonen and Fisichella stayed out and at the restart, Raikkonen was trailing the Force India, but with the KERS deployed, Raikkonen was able to take the lead.

It wasn’t plain-sailing for Raikkonen though, as even though we expected Raikkonen to cruise off into the sunset, Fisichella kept him honest and the gap remained at about 1s for the rest of the race. It was clear in the final stint that the VJM02 was the faster car, but it simply wasn’t enough, and with KERS being enabled on the F60, Fisichella could only sit and read the rear wing of the leading Ferrari.

Conversely, the team mates of the leading duo had very different races. While one Ferrari crossed the finish line first, the other crossed the line last. Luca Badoer was the last of the runners and has probably hammered the final nail in the coffin that is now known as his Formula One career. Performing better, but still in the shadows, Adrian Sutil completed the Belgian Grand Prix in P11. It wasn’t the greatest of performances from the German pilot, but at least Adrian finished where he started.

Sebastian Vettel has managed to claw out a few points from championship leader Jenson Button and the German driver overtakes his team mate in the title race. It wasn’t a great weekend for Red Bull Racing though, after a poor qualifying performance left both drivers out of position. While Vettel was able to move forward in the race and take Robert Kubica in the pitstops, Mark Webber just went backwards, and after receiving a drive-thru penalty resulting from an early release from the pitstops into the path of Nick Heidfeld, the Australian had nothing left to give.

Red Bull’s only saving grace from the weekend was the fact tha Brawn didn’t score big points, and with a first lap retirement from Jenson Button, it was left up to Rubens Barrichello to collect for the team. Unfortunately, the Brazilian’s anti-stall kicked in on the grid and Barrichello’s race only got marginally better. Two points from seventh is not good enough for the championship leaders, but it is also good enough through sheer luck, as their rivals failed to score as well.

McLaren too were relying on only one driver for the race as Lewis Hamilton was taken out in the same incident that saw Jenson Button retire. The half-lap that Hamilton did complete was pretty hectic though, and from onboard footage we can see the Briton getting sandwiched at La Source and receiving quite a knock on the right side of the car. Seemingly undamaged, Hamilton was able to continue only to be caught up in the spinning Button following a tag from Romain Grosjean. Jaime Alguersuari was also involved, and although the drivers were investigated, no punishment or penalty has been handed out. Zero points for Hamilton though is penalty enough.

Heikki Kovalainen fared better today though, and although the Finn had a poor qualifying performance, he was able to battle his way through to finish in P6 and collect three points for himself and the team.

Having a better weekend were the team that only recently announced they wouldn’t be racing next year due to poor performances this year. BMW had a stellar race in comparison to the previous so far and a double points finish will have certainly buoyed the team from Hinwil. Robert Kubica was running third for much of the race although was out-pitstopped by Sebastian Vettel towards the end. Nick Heidfeld also collected well, despite having the brake heavily to avoid Mark Webber in the pitstops. P4 ad P5 is a good day for BMW.

Renault had a disasterous Belgian Grand Prix, with Romain Grosjean retiring on lap one and Fernando Alonso being retired after a bodged pitstop. The Spaniard received some damage to his wheel on the opening tour, but was able to continue. However, when the double world champion pitted for the first time, the severity of the impact suddenly became a problem. It seems the wheel-fairing was damaged and the tyre-changer simply couldn’t get the new tyre on properly. Fearing another investigation after Alonso’s wheel came off in Hungary and almost saw the team banned from racing in Valencia, Alonso was called back to the pitlane and retired.

And so that really leaves Toyota to mention, the team who have no idea why their car is behaving the way it is. Jarno Trulli is often quoted as saying that he doesn’t know why the TF109 is slow, and equally so, the Italian often says he does not know why it is fast. This weekend was a case of the latter, but it still didn’t help his race after he retired (an early pitstop due to a damaged front wing paid an end to his victory chances early on). Timo Glock remained fairly anonymous, although he seemed to have an okay car under him. P10 was all the German could muster.

The championship therefore only changes slightly, with Kimi Raikkonen receiving a welcome boost in points and the Force India score meaning that all ten teams have now got points in the constructors championship. Button maintains a 16 point lead over team mate Rubens Barrichello, and with five races to run, it will be interesting to see how the Brawn pilot manages the finale to his season. Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are still very closely matched as are Raikkonen, Rosberg and and Hamilton.

Original article by BlogF1.

Belgium 2009: Kimi Raikkonen Wins From A Very ‘Appy Giancarlo Fisichella

Well according to Bernie Ecclestone, it apparently does. When USF1 were first rumoured, this was the name that was associated with them, and to be perfectly fair, it makes an awful lot of sense. Anderson and Windsor wanted the operation to be centred around American industries, with American drivers and cars designed and built in the United States.

A Formula One team from North America? USF1 sounds about right to me, and also to the rest of the world.

The new team quickly set about claiming a domain on the Internet for their project and put up a simple logo. However, it wasn’t long before the USF1.com website was pulled (and it now redirects to a different domain). At the same time, a rumour started to do the rounds suggesting that Ecclestone had requested USF1 to change their name, the term F1 not being allowed to be used by anyone other than Bernie himself.

This issue of the term F1 goes back a few years, and Ecclestone has apparently insisted he holds the trademark for it. Among the journalists reporting on Formula One, much mockery was made of having to put the symbol ™ after each instance of the letter ‘F’ and the number ‘1′ in close proximity. You can only imagine the ridiculousness of this when scrolling through even BlogF1. Sorry, BlogF1™.

And while USF1 were laying claim to USGPE.com as a new home for their online activities, current team Force India were told to adjust their logo, the suggestion being the initials of the team, FI, looked very similar to F1 in their stylised lettering. The logo was changed to include a lowercase ‘i’ instead. The 2008 original logo can be seen in the photograph at the top of the page.

So United States Formula One became United States Grand Prix Engineering, or USGPE, and further mocking of Ecclestone’s stance on the letter-and-number ensued. However, a recent interview with USF1’s Ken Anderson suggests another possible reason for the change in name. Speaking to Autosport in May, Anderson was asked the following:

What is the latest situation regarding the team name, because there were some reports that it had changed?

To which Anderson responded with:

Well, the name didn’t change because “USF1″ was the project name, and it leaked out like that. The thing is, we are not approved to use the term “F1″ until we are in, so it is almost a Catch 22 situation. We can talk about it, but we can’t use it until we are in – so we just took it off the website and had another domain registered – USGPE.

When further pressed by Autosport with the question:

So the team will remain USF1, if you get an entry?

Anderson clarified with the following answer:

Yes. If you look around at other teams, if you use the “F1″ in your name you have to use the word team as well. So we will be Team USF1.

And as the entry list confirmed when it was published in June, it had “Team USF1″ listed among the current and new teams.

So it would seem that the ruling regarding the use of the term ‘F1′, it is allowed providing the name also includes the word ‘Team’. Which strikes me as odd. Very odd, in fact. I can understand that the use of the term ‘F1′ may only be used in certain circumstances (and even then, that is highly arguable and I personally will argue it), allowing the term providing it is accompanied with the word ‘team’ makes little sense other than to differentiate between something that is officially F1 and something that is not. But then, Formula One is officially known as ‘Formula 1′. The logo makes use of the initials, but who would want to use that dated old thing anyway…?

Of course, USF1 are not owned by a company directly related to the company of Formula One – one of Ecclestone’s FOM companies – but interestingly, Formula One Management is not Formula 1 Management. And to open the floodgates even further, Williams are officially known as and have been for many years as WilliamsF1…

To be perfectly frank, Formula One teams, in my humble opinion, should be forced to include the term ‘F1′ in their names. Red Bull race and sponsor many categories, Renault have a Formula One team, but also put their name to other motor sport series as well as a giant automobile manufacturing business. While those in the know are aware that Red Bull Racing is the Formula One team, others may not and think it is some junior formulae outfit, or a spin-off PR company, or…

By including the term F1, people know exactly what you are talking about. Of course, common sense isn’t always that common, even in the wiser folk who run the sport known as Team F1™.

Original article by BlogF1.

QIF1: What’s In A Name?

Adrian Sutil’s Force India wiggled as he entered the fast and sweeping corner that makes up the Abbey chicane. Sutil corrected the wiggle on the VJM02 but then it seemed to bottom slightly on the rear left – although that could have been the camber of the track – and ran wide over the grass. There was no locking of any brakes, indicating that Sutil either didn’t brake, or more likely that he suffered some kind of brake failure. Sutil skated over the gravel and impacted the barrier quite hard, but thankfully it wasn’t head-on and instead a side impact.

The G-meter light came on for Sutil’s accident – an device that measures the G-force and lights when the impact is substantial enough. This means Sutil has to pay the medical centre a visit, but so far he seems perfectly fine.

I had a brake problem and then had no brakes going into the complex. I pushed on the pedal but there wasn’t anything. I tried to avoid a big accident but it was impossible so I crashed really hard.

I’m completely okay, I was just taken to the medical centre for some checks as it was a big crash. Adrian Sutil.

Fortunately Adrian is okay, and we take any potential car problem that could cause an accident like that very seriously. We will fully understand what happened and ensure that it is addressed. Dominic Harlow, Chief Race Engineer.

Sutil had been driving superbly well all weekend, and managed to haul his Mercedes-powered Force India to P3 in the afternoon free practice session. The improvements made to the car are clearly helping, and Sutil looked to be in the zone until this accident. Unfortunately, both Force Indias are now out of qualifying, along with the two Scuderia Toro Rossos and Lewis Hamilton.

Original article by BlogF1.

Silverstone 2009: Sutil Stops Qualifying After Heavy Shunt

It’s one of the sport’s ultimate what ifs, and it is very hard to judge a driver who hasn’t actually proven themselves one way or the other, but to speculate is interesting, and that is exactly what this post is about. Of the drivers competing in 2009, do any deserve a better car, a greater chance of proving themselves…

Nico Rosberg

Being the son of a former world champion will always bring with it a great expectation. Keke was a fine driver who showed consistency like few others. Nico though has had a harder time of it. Like his father, Nico was given his break by Williams, but unfortunately the timing was quite different. In 1982, Keke joined the team on the back of their two consecutive constructors titles. It wasn’t all smiles and praise as the team started to endure mixed results, but Keke won his world title in his first campaign with Williams, and showed tenacity while the squad slipped down the rankings.

For Nico, he joined Williams when they were already quite firmly in a slump, which may have been his saving grace as with it comes understanding. In a clearly uncompetitive car, Rosberg Jr has shown he has talent, and a strong run of points finishes towards the tail end of 2007 were impressive. Even more impressive were his two podiums in 2008. Finishing second in the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix is surely both actually and emotionally Rosberg’s greatest result thus far, completing a race where all about him others were falling off the road and retiring.

2009 has once again proving to be a bit of a let down so far. The car is okay, as is the engine, but through a combination of errors from both team and driver, Nico has so far failed to stand on the podium, despite the FW31 looking very competitive in free practices. The experience of Williams should be guiding Nico to greatness, but alas it looks to be the other way around at the moment, with Rosberg guiding the team.

Does Nico have the talent to compete with the best? Lewis Hamilton seems to think so, and Rosberg’s championship winning GP2 season was impressive. The German pilot out-scored Heikki Kovalainen to take the title, and although both pilots equalled each other on wins in 2005, Nico managed 4 poles and 5 fastest laps to Heikki’s 2 poles and 1 fastest lap. Kovalainen is currently sitting in a McLaren and not enjoying his 2009 Formula One campaign, nor did the Finn do spectacularly well last time around. Would Rosberg do any better though?

Heikki Kovalainen

Speaking of Heikki, does he deserve a better car than he is currently driving? The McLaren MP4-24 is far from an all-conquering machine, and team mate Lewis Hamilton has been getting increasingly frustrated with it this year, telling the media that the team have not given him a machine which he can defend his title with. The Briton has scored some points though and looked, on occasion, quite competitive.

Conversely, Heikki has barely finished a race this season, failing to even get around the opening lap in the first two races. He has scored with the 2009 McLaren, but currently sits on half the points of his team mate. Previously, Kovalainen couldn’t match Hamilton in 2008 and while the Briton took the world championship, Heikki finished in seventh on just over half the points of his team mate. It wasn’t a great performance, but there were glimmers of hope. In 2007, Kovalainen’s debut year, the Finn got off to a slow start, but by the time the drivers had completed the final race, Heikki had comprehensively beaten his much more experienced team mate Giancarlo Fisichella.

Previous to Formula One and as mentioned in relation to Nico Rosberg, Heikki did well in GP2 and missed out on the 2005 title by just 15 points. Finishing second is still a good performance, but one has to wonder why this hasn’t translated into Formula One. Would Kovalainen blitz the field if he was given a decent car? Does he have enough talent, or was 2005, [2006 spent testing] and 2007 the peak of his motor racing career?

Sebastien Buemi

Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi has proven to be a bit of a surprise this year. Being the only rookie in the field, Buemi has already shown up his multiple ChampCar champion team mate Sebastien Bourdais, and brought the Scuderia Toro Rosso home in points-paying positions twice already. In the opening round Bourdais scored, but unfortunately for him, Buemi scored better. At the third round in China, Buemi scored again, and currently sits on three points. It is, by all measures, a good start to his debut campaign.

Prior to Formula One, Buemi didn’t look particularly special, finishing in sixth in his first full GP2 season. Over the winter the Swiss driver competed in the GP2 Asia series and managed to finish second after one win and a string of second places. Compared to Rosberg and Kovalainen in 2005 though, Buemi looks vaguely average.

However, to finish in the points in a Scuderia Toro Rosso is not bad. Although the car is often said to be similar to the race-winning Red Bull, it is actually quite a different motor, being powered by a different engine and managed by a different team of people. Thus far, and while eating humble pie, I have to say that Buemi doesn’t look too bad of a driver and in a couple of years will deserve a shot in a better car. But what say you? Is Buemi any good, or are his results so far completely fluke?

Adrian Sutil

Having competed in Formula One since 2007, Adrian Sutil has endured the worse of all the cars currently mentioned. The Spyker wasn’t up to much and although the Force India he now drives is an improvement, it is still hogging the back row of the grid. However, on occasion Sutil has driven the wheels of the car and positioned himself in places that really he shouldn’t be in.

We all remember the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix where Sutil managed to haul himself up to fourth and was defending his position to the reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen. Unfortunately, Raikkonen crashed into Sutil and his race was over. It wasn’t the only time a Ferrari came into contact with Sutil’s Force India that year as the Scuderia’s pitstop technique often resulted one of their drivers pulling out in front of Sutil. It became almost comical due to the amount of times it happened.

Again this season Sutil has put in a couple of fine performances, finishing in ninth from sixteenth in the season’s opening round, and running in sixth in China before losing the tail of his car and clouting the barrier. However, the fact that the German is able to get his car into these positions shows maturity and skill on his part. Is it enough though. What would happen if Adrian found himself in a Brawn or Red Bull? Would he be winning, or would it be too much for him?

Original article by BlogF1.

Who Deserves A Better Shot At The Big Time?

In 2008 and during wet weather at Monaco, Sutil was running in a very well deserved fourth place towards the end of the race. The safety car had just returned to the pitlane and the drivers were once again racing on the drying track. Coming out of the tunnel and heading down to the chicane, Kimi Raikkonen – who was right behind Sutil – lost the rear of his Ferrari as the Finn ran over some water. The resulting accident took Sutil out of the race as Raikkonen effectively used the Force India as a brake. Although a racing accident, it was painful to watch Sutil stalk back to the pitlane, his head in his hands and clearly very distraught.

Today, the trained pianist had a similar march back to the pitlane to endure, although this time it was more his fault than anyone else’s. Again, Sutil was on track within the vicinity of Kimi Raikkonen, but the accident was all of Sutil’s doing. It doesn’t make it much easier though, as the young driver had driven his heart out to be in the position he was in.

I had prepared myself for a hard race and that’s exactly what it was. We took a risk with the strategy with a very early stop and it was a long way to go with one set of tyres. Then it started to rain again and it was very hard to keep the car on the circuit.

Sometimes even in a straight line in fourth or fifth gear I was struggling with aquaplaning and I was very lucky to keep the car on the circuit for so long. Adrian Sutil.

Adrian was then a little more philosophical about the incident and admitted that today’s loss of result reminded him of Monaco last year.

It’s a shame – you focus so much and think you can do it, but the car was just out of control at the end. I had the same feeling as Monaco – it’s hard to believe when you are in the car and then suddenly you lose it and it’s all over from such a great position.

But you have to get over it, we had a great performance today. It’s good for the team and I think we deserved the points, I just feel bad for everyone here. It was a very good strategy call, but that’s what we had to do: take a risk. Adrian Sutil.

Compared to his much more experienced team mate Giancarlo Fisichella, Sutil is driving very well. His abilities in the wet weather are certainly good, as at other times last year, when the rain fell Sutil drove well. But being in a largely under-performing car, it is far from easy for the team to get into the point-paying positions. I still believe Force India can and will score this year, but it will require a little more luck and for their drivers to remain on the circuit for the full race distance.

Original article by BlogF1.

Shanghai 2009: Adrian Sutil Should Avoid Walking Under Ladders

I’m very disappointed with the mistake I made in the pitstop. I was just confused with last year as we were always in the last slot in the pitlane, so I just overshot and had to be pulled back into the pits.

I’m really sad about this as I think we could have got a good result. Giancarlo Fisichella.

It isn’t the first time that a driver has missed his garage, and Martin Brundled suggested in his commentary that this isn’t the first for Fisichella to do this either. The Force Indias looked quite racey today and undoubtedly the team may have been able to scrape a point, especially as Jarno Trulli was later given a time penalty for passing under the safety car.

Team mate Adrian Sutil also had a fairly competitive car and finished in tenth. Had the German pilot not got caught up in the first corner incident with Rubens Barrichello and Mark Webber, it is possible that Sutil could have gone on to score for the team. Unfortunately, Force India now look towards Malaysia and will be wanting to put this weekend behind them.

Original article by BlogF1.

Australia 2009: Fisichella Apologises For Pitstop Blunder

Last year was considered a disappointment by Mallya, who during the course of the season went about making changes to the management structure as well as negotiating a very special deal with McLaren. The result is a team that according to Adrian Sutil, has a much more cohesive bond, a pleasing atmosphere and morale that is riding high. It will take more than a smile to haul themselves further up the grid, but it would appear to be a good start.

The VJM02 was one of the last cars to be launched, only beating the Scuderia Toro Rosso STR4 and the Brawn GP BGP 001. However, it’s debut test at Jerez in early March showed promise and both Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil generally kept the machine from the bottom of the tables. While testing is by far no measure of real pace come race day, the results of the initial sessions in Spain were encouraging. The results from the second group test at Barcelona showed more weakness, as the improvements made to the rival cars was made more apparent. However, nearest team STR have weaknesses as well, so it isn’t all doom and gloom for Force India.

If the team are to prove to be serious about competing in Formula One with the bigger and better funded teams, Force India need to start scoring points. Failing to move themselves off the bottom of the championship table in 2008 was not a great result, and after promising a Q2 performance early on in the year, it took the squad until the mid-point before this goal was realised. For 2009, Force India need to hit the tarmac running and not look back. They need to control their enthusiasm for setting unreachable targets, keep their heads down and race.

The shake up in technical regulations will help the team as some of their competitors get it right, while others may get it wrong. The potential mix up in performances could provide a window for Force India to sneak through, but only if they themselves get it right. With expertise from McLaren, a gear box, KERS device and engine all from Woking and Stuttgart, there is little reason why the Silverstone-based squad cannot do exactly this.

I would expect Force India to score their first points in 2009, but talk of podiums and Q1 results are a long way off. They may prove to be a match for Scuderia Toro Rosso, and possibly even close to Williams depending on how they have done over the winter. But the big results won’t happen for a few more years. Force India will improve, but I think Vijay Mallya will be talking of a disappointing 2009 this time next year.

Previous Force India Previews

• F12008 Force India Preview
• F12007 Spyker Preview
• F12006 Midland Preview

Original article by BlogF1.

F12009: Force India Preview

However, the information collected may be worthless as Scuderia Toro Rosso don’t have a car yet. Whereas rivals Force India now do. Having undergone a shakedown last week and completed some laps of Jerez yesterday, the VJM02 arguably puts the Silverstone-based squad ahead. They have one very experienced driver in Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil is entering his third season of Formula One driving. With a strong Mercedes-Benz engine and all the other gubbins that come with it, Force India could be about to take a step up the grid order this year. Of course, looking at the RB5 – STR’s future car – it might not be as straight forward as you think.

Scuderia Toro Rosso have an experienced racer in Sebastien Bourdais, but the Frenchman has completed most of his running in the American Champ Car series. Bourdais’s first foray in Formula One didn’t go quite as well as he would have liked, but there were some strong performances. Conversely, Sebastien Buemi is a rookie and will start his very first season of Formula One in March when the teams convene in Melbourne for the first race. Sebastien Buemi has spent a lot of time in the car though, testing both the STR3 and the RB4. Scuderia Toro Rosso also have a decent engine with the Ferrari, although the package is less complete when compared to Force India’s set up.

So which team do you think will finish the 2009 season on top? The team that won a race in 2008, or the team that have a car already? Scuderia Toro Rosso versus Force India…

Image © Franz Pammer/GEPA Pictures.

Original article by BlogF1.

Who Will Be Faster In 2009: STR vs. Force India

Team owner Vijay Mallya believes the squad have no excuses not to score points in 2009, pointing out that the squad are much stronger now they have a technical affiliation with the world championship winning McLaren team. Along with support, Force India also have Mercedes engines as well as gear boxes and KERS, which will give them a definite boost. Although, for 2008 the team were using the mighty Ferrari power unit and still failed to score any points. With a more complete package though, Force India may be able to haul themselves forward.

To be brutally honest, I would not be happy if we didn’t show some much improved, and much needed, performance.

What we really set out to do over the winter was to put in place structures, procedures and partnerships that would give improvement, but crucially, no excuses.

I would like to see a strong start, rising to points mid-season and a definite improvement in qualifying. Regular points finishes should be the aim.

This is the year we have to deliver. We are not here to make up the numbers, I want to be pushing all the way Vijay Mallya.

However, looking at some testing times, with a handful of salt it must be said, the lap times look fairly close, implying that 2009 could be another closely fought and tightly packed grid. With cars running only a few tenths apart, more emphasis is placed on reliability, strategies and drivers. Losing a tenth or two in qualifying could mean, as it did more than once last year, a difference of up to six places on the grid. Those positions can make the difference between getting into the following phases of qualifying.

If the team does manage to improve during 2009, the drivers will no doubt be analysed more closely by the team and pundits alike. Adrian Sutil is at the beginning of his career and got his drive partly because of a good relationship with then Spyker boss Colin Kolles. Since then though, Kolles has left the Force India team as part of Mallya’s management restructure, and although Sutil is said to have a long term contract with the squad, nobody is entirely safe in their jobs in Formula One.

Giancarlo Fisichella is perhaps the driver with most question marks over, having been soundly beaten by Fernando Alonso at Renault, and then having a less-than-great year with Force India in 2008. Previously, Fisichella had been hailed as a great racer who nearly always demoralised his team mates. Jenson Button, Jarno Trulli and Alex Wurz have all felt the Italian’s wrath back in the Benetton days, but more recently, Giancarlo appears to have struggled.

Last year was difficult, but this year is much more encouraging. If I have a good season and I have the chance, I will stay in F1 for more. Giancarlo Fisichella.

Fisichella believes the VJM02 will become a regular points scorer in 2009 and expects the squad to introduce the KERS device when the circus heads for Europe and the Spanish Grand Prix. Although it should be noted that Fisichella is very much against the idea, having said that KERS is a waste of money and time and still not entirely safe. In an interview at Jerez, Giancarlo had the following to say…

We’re not going to use the KERS until Barcelona so I just need to concentrate on driving the car as quick as possible. Most of the teams I think are going to run with it from the European races, so not for three or four races.

I never drove with it, and I am against it because the teams are spending a lot of time and especially money to develop it. It’s still not safe. Giancarlo Fisichella.

Fisichella completed 31 laps today at Jerez as he put the VJM02 through its paces. At the end of the afternoon the Italian was pleased with the car and his initial impressions were good. There were a few gremlins that needed ironing out, but all in all the car appears to have enjoyed a good debut.

It is a bit frustrating as we could only do 31 laps today, especially as it is very important to try and get as many as possible as we are already late compared to the other teams. I am however quite surprised and happy about what I felt with the behaviour of the car today. It’s very promising and I felt much more consistency, even under braking, and more stability in the high speed corners.

We need to improve the traction a bit and also the oversteering after a few laps, but this is a problem others have had as well. The lap time is good and I am quite pleased as we did it with one set of new tyres and I know I can do much better than this. Giancarlo Fisichella.

Fisichella will continue testing tomorrow before handing the car over to team mate Adrian Sutil on Tuesday.

Original article by BlogF1.

Force India Have High Expectations For 2009

The change in style for team brings the colours of the VJM02 closer to those used on the flag of India, using the white, green and orange to good effect. The overalls also have been updated and show a nice splash of orange across the front. The team also have extra logos on the car, but these are not newly enticed companies, rather than more of Vijay Mallya’s empire receiving some extra publicity.

For 2009, Mallya has stepped up his direct involvement with the team, taking on more responsibility of the day-to-day running. Last year he let Mike Gascoyne go after the pair decided that they didn’t agree with the future direction of the squad. While this was almost certainly a sizable loss for the team, having the owner around more could prove to be a good motivator.

This year will also see Force India with a different engine supplier. The squad signed a deal with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz which although meant waving goodbye to Ferrari, saw a shipment of engines, gearboxes and KERS components arrive at the Silverstone factory. Having a more complete package as well as technical expertise will undoubtedly boost the team. Whether or not it can be converted into decent results is still an unknown, but Adrian Sutil has looked fairly quick in the past, and Giancarlo Fisichella has enough experience to help with the development of the car.

The new car will take part in the Jerez test this upcoming week where both Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil should get a chance to drive the new VJM02.

Images © Sutton/Force India F1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Launches 2009: Force India VJM02 Makes Track Debut

Scuderia Toro Rosso

STR had an incredible 2008 with both drivers scoring points and a maiden victory for Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull family of teams. However, the young German has been promoted to the senior team, and Franz Tost is still yet to decide on a partner for the replacing Sebastien Buemi.

To be able to beat Red Bull Racing again will be a real challenge, and one I do not think they will achieve. Part of Scuderia Toro Rossos success last year was down to the luck of the draw, and while nothing can be taken away from the fine victory in Monza, the weather almost certainly helped Vettel claim pole and win. And it was those ten points that helped push STR above Red Bull in the final standings.

The team have signed a driver who they consider to be a real talent, although Sebastien Buemi only managed sixth in last years GP2 championship, having been beaten by other upcoming talents Lucas di Grassis, Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean. Buemi is however, a part of Red Bull’s junior driver programme and earned his place in the squad by putting in some sterling work during the post-season tests at Jerez and Barcelona. He will likely find things tough to begin with, especially as he will undoubtedly be compared to his predecessor Vettel. But hopefully Buemi can find his feet and should be able to score a few points here and there.

The second seat remains vacant at the time of writing this, and the team desire a driver who can bring funds with them. STR also want someone with experience to partner Buemi, and currently Takuma Sato and Sebastien Bourdais look favourite for the role. However, time is ticking on and the Australian Grand Prix is only 75 days away. Scuderia Toro Rosso had better make their minds up quickly.

On the car side of things, the team will likely pick up a few Red Bull Racing chassis, just as they did in 2008. However, unlike 2008, the team will need a car that complies with the technical regulations from the word go, as the current STR3 is essentially illegal now. This pressure on Red Bull Technology is not good, and last season the company didn’t start providing a new car to STR until the Monaco event in May. There has been no sign of an interim car from the Red Bull stable, implying that the company will have build twice as many chassis before the vehicles are shipped out to Melbourne.

Red Bull Racing

Speaking of Red Bull Racing, how embarrassing was their 2008 campaign!? Having been beaten by the junior team must be heartbreaking for the squad, but it did prove that the car was capable during adverse conditions. The ‘08 season was also a marked improvement over the previous year, with the gearbox lasting a little longer.

The team have decided to let David Coulthard retire and in his place comes the young Sebastian Vettel, already a race winner. Vettel should prove to be a real match for team mate Mark Webber, who last year had it fairly easy thanks to Coulthard’s bad luck, error of judgements and fragile car. I can see Sebastian outscoring Webber by the end of the season, which would not be helpful to the Australian. Also, Mark Webber is recovering from a broken leg following a cycling accident in Tasmania.

The lack of testing from Mark Webber shouldn’t hurt the team too much as they have Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Buemi, who has driven the RB4 since the 2008 season closed. However, the lack of driving will hurt Webber, especially as the cars will handle differently this year.

I would love to say that Red Bull will improve and start chasing the front runner’s gearboxes, but I just cannot see it. The team started out so well, attracting big names like Adrian Newey, Ferrari and Renault. But recently the relentless push forward seems to have slowed. Perhaps the injection of youth from Vettel and the lack of distraction with a cut down in lavish parties will help focus Red Bull back on to the racing.

Williams

They celebrated last year, but it was only the numbers derived from the teams impressive history that were of any significance. On the track, the team did less well and as much as I hope every season that this will be the comeback year, I am finding myself continually disappointed. Williams managed a couple of podiums last year with some great drives by Nico Rosberg, and surprisingly, Kazuki Nakajima didn’t do too badly either, almost matching Rosberg for pace on more than one occasion.

However, being Formula One’s final true privately entered team must be taking its toll, and while that status is something Franck Williams and Patrick Head can be proud of, the bank balance is probably wishing for some manufacturer-sent funds. With the world economy falling off the cliff, many expected Williams to follow Honda and walk away. Fortunately for us, Frank Williams is too resiliant and the team have been toiling away trying to reclaim the glory that once made them great.

The squad were the first to show off a 2009-spec. car, allowing Jonathan Kennard the chance to blast up and down a runway in the interim FW31. The team’s KERS package is the only system to have been developed entirely in-house, although it should be noted that in order for Williams to achieve this feat that had to purchase shares in AHP, get them to move their headquarters to Williams’s at Grove in Oxfordshire, and since then AHP has been renamed WHPForce India
Force India are another team that are going to be hard to judge until the lights go out in Melbourne. Last season, while transitioning from Spyker, the Silverstone-based squad continually locked-out the back row, only on occasion venturing forward. To their credit though, Giancarlo Fisichella did manage a Q2 qualifying effort, once, and in adverse conditions they did look handy for a while. Unfortunately though, while Vijay Mallya has the funds, he doesn’t yet have the experience of Formula One. With a more hands-on approach this year though, that could very quickly change.

Passion though is running through the team once again. This is something that has been lacking since the day Eddie Jordan submitted an advert to the back pages of Autosport asking for buyers for his team*. Passion doesn’t necessarily bring results though, but a canny knack of doing business helps.
*Not strictly true.

The team have affiliated themselves with McLaren and by getting a complete package of engine, gear box and KERS, the car should work more smoothly. The technical support will benefit the team greatly and providing the chassis isn’t too bad, Force India could make some progress in 2009. They won’t be hunting down podiums, but an odd point here and there could be on the cards.

The only thing that really worries me about Force India’s progress are the drivers. Adrian Sutil can drive well, but he seems to have adopted the Jarno Trulli approach to races; he tends to fall asleep. At times, Sutil looks impressive. Other times, you wonder what he’s doing. Fisichella as well is perhaps fast approaching his retirement. The Italian’s experience will undoubtedly help the team, especially as they once again transition from one engine to another. And also, from one type of car to another. Unfortunately, Fisichella’s race pace is starting to look a little tired and I think come 2010, Force India need in place a clear direction for the future of their driver choices.

Given everything though, I still think Force India will be at the back for the majority of the season. Although, perhaps moving away from Ferrari engines will help Sutil in the pitlane; maybe the Ferraris of Massa and Raikkonen won’t be drawn so much to him!?

Honda

The team is currently in flux, so there is very little to be said in all honesty. Ross Brawn has continually stated that the employees at Brackley are still preparing the RA109, although not knowing if it is worth anything must be disconcerting for the team. The lack of an engine deal is also very worrying. Brawn has mentioned that it would take about six weeks to modify the car to fit an unfamiliar engine, which gives the squad until the end of the month to find a buyer and an engine partner.

If the team are saved and they manage to acquire a power plant, I would presume Jenson Button to be one of the drivers, although the second seat remains unknown. For someone completely knew it would be easy to extend Rubens Barrichello’s career by an extra year as they would want some kind of stability. However, if someone took over and wanted immediate change, Barrichello could very quickly find himself left in the wings.

Prior to Honda shelving the Formula One operation, the team had been hyping themselves up, suggesting the RA109 will be a very competitive car. This attitude reminds of the team when they were known as BAR, and each and every year the hype would begin in November, and come March, it would evaporate as the cars came home in paltry positions. Only once was the excitement warranted – 2004. Therefore, I am ignoring the words flowing from Button’s mouth about the car. If they are on the Melbourne grid, they will likely be close to the back due to complete lack of testing, unfamiliar engine and possibly no KERS. I can see reliability causing a problem, which will only be exacerbated as the team will not be allowed to test during the season.

Finale

So that wraps up the 2009 season predictions. To be honest, it is fairly standard as I don’t think too much will change from last year. Ferrari can only lose it, Renault, BMW and Toyota can only move forward and if they don’t, serious questions will be asked. Red Bull and Scuderia Toro Rosso will achieve natural order again, Williams will continue to break fan’s hearts and Force India will occasionally nibble the bottom points. If Honda make it, then a big hurray will sound.

I’m most likely going to be wrong on most of what I have said – my predictions are like that! But these two posts have allowed me to examine some areas of the teams a little closer and compare as best I can between them all. So that just leaves me to ask…

…do you agree?

Further Reading

2009 Championship Predictions: Part I

Original article by BlogF1.

2009 Championship Predictions: Part II

The new car, VJM02, is under construction. It will have a McLaren gearbox and Mercedes engine, which is a big change from VJM01. We are going to unveil it at Jerez in early March. Vijay Mallya.

Mallya is confident his team can progress into the midfield this year, having failed to score any points in the 2008 campaign. At times, the Silverstone-based squad looked good for one or two points, but it would seem circumstances conspired against them, most notably the incident involving Kimi Raikkonen at Monaco. However, with a more complete package from McLaren and Mercedes, the car should run better than previously, although the midfield is a whole different ball game. In 2008, the laptimes between the middle group of cars were very close and tightly packed. While some might say that makes it easier to progress, others say it makes it easier to fall behind.

We will have a six day test which I think is enough. Besides, the facilities at our Silverstone factory are quite up to the mark and I think we will be ready for the first race. Vijay Mallya.

Either way, Mallya is not overly concerned that his team will be among the last to launch, having explained that Force India will test for six days prior to shipping the cars out to Australia.

Original article by BlogF1.

Force India VJM02 To Be Launched In March

Force India are looking for a complete technical package from their engine supplier, and they had asked Ferrari for an engine, drive train and KERS device for the 2009 campaign. However, Ferrari cannot deliver all Mallya’s wishes, resulting in the Indian billionaire looking elsewhere. This is how the alliance with McLaren was born as Ron Dennis’s outfit are in a better position to supply a second team with the necessary components. Although today hasn’t seen a confirmation on this, it is believed that negotiations are in their final phase and an announcement won’t be too far in the future.

The Force India Formula One Team today announces that it has ended its contract with Ferrari. The agreement signed in 2007 also provided for a supply of engines in 2009, but will now terminate ahead of schedule at the request of Force India.

Force India wishes to thank Ferrari for its much appreciated and valued support to date, which has always been carried out at the highest level; technically and professionally and within an excellent relationship. Force India Press Statement.

The management reshuffle is perhaps a little surprising, although it was made public during the 2008 season that Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne wasn’t getting along with the new team owners. His view on the future direction of the squad didn’t align with Mallya’s, and despite trying to mend bridges, it is now clear they were not. Gascoyne is known for his ability to lift an uncompetitive car into places it probably shouldn’t be, having worked with Jordan many years ago. However, along with the departure of Team Principal Colin Kolles, Vijay Mallya will now take up a more involved role with the team.

We have come a long way this season, but we need more and that requires some radical reorganisation of the management structure to ensure the maximum productivity.

I would like to thank Colin Kolles for his tireless efforts in keeping such a small team alive and to Mike Gascoyne for bringing his wealth of technical expertise. Both have played an instrumental part in making the team what it is today.

On Monday November 10th, I will announce the new technical direction of the team as well as the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer who will assume overall responsibility for our Silverstone and Brackley facilities, Race and Test operations. Vijay Mallya.

Only time will tell if this major reorganisation brings about the desired results for the squad, but the alliance with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz will certainly be a boost to the team.

Original article by BlogF1.

Force India Announce Big Changes

The mood before the season start in Australia was one of buoyancy and optimism, but the team were well aware of their uphill struggle to rejuvenate the failed Spyker project and despite the anticipation, team owner Vijay Mallya did his best to quell expectation and potential results. The testing of Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella was certainly welcomed publicity though, only topped by the statement issued by the former Toyota, Williams and Jordan driver that the test was only in kindness to Toyota’s former sponsor when Schumacher failed to get the drive.

Instead, it was Renault refugee Fisichella who claimed the second seat alongside Adrian Sutil and although the Italian had been outclassed by Fernando Alonso and then Heikki Kovalainen in preceding seasons, the experience of the former Jordan race winner was surely enough to boost confidence in the team. However, testing was very trying for the squad and expectation for 2008 was kept to a minimum.

The start of the year was nothing spectacular and Force India started to rack up a few retirements; some from mechanical failure, some from silly driver errors. On occasion, both Fisichella and Sutil found themselves caught up in other driver’s accidents, but it should be noted they also created some all on their own. With the reasonably powerful Ferrari engine though, Force India were hopeful and the goal set by the team to get out of Q1 quickly became a potential reality. Race pace may have been lacking, but qualifying wasn’t going too badly.

From the offset the squad appeared to have good pace in qualifying and Fisichella in particular enjoyed a spate of 16th place grid slots. However, the elusive extra tenth or two proved hard to find and the goal wasn’t realised until Italy. In difficult circumstances which saw Sebastian Vettel take his and Scuderia Toro Rosso’s maiden pole, Giancarlo thumped his VJM01 into a fine twelfth place. Unfortunately, Fisichella couldn’t convert the grid slot into a race result as an incident with Coulthard damaged his front wing. Moments later Fisichella found himself in the barriers, the wing damaged enough to cause the end of his race.

Fisichella’s battle with some of the sport’s leading drivers in Italy wasn’t the only time the Force Indias punched above their weight this year though, and team mate Adrian Sutil also put in some sterling drives in the sister car. Monaco will perhaps be forever etched in the German’s mind as the day he went from hero to zero through little fault of his own.

Quickly becoming a bit of a master around the principality, Sutil revelled in the tricky wet conditions at Monaco and found himself in fourth as the race drew to a close. Unfortunately, an error from the chasing Kimi Raikkonen resulted in the Ferrari slamming in to the back of the similarly powered Force India. Sutil retired and was seen disconsolate in the garage.

For Force India, I believe 2008 was a good year. They may have failed to score any points, but the team and the fans knew it was an uphill struggle. Force India have experienced difficulties and made some errors. But the squad’s vision of the future, combined with funding from Mallya’s companies and a possible alliance with McLaren could see the back-row minnows move forward. The Indian-flavoured team have passion, certainly more than Midland or Spyker had in year’s previous, and with this they can at least hope to move off the bottom of the tables. Sutil has reminded us again this year that he is no slouch and given the right mix of conditions, set up and luck, he can put his car in places it probably shouldn’t be.

Fisichella on the other hand has been slightly embarrassed again; his team mate proving to be a good match for the experienced race winner. Being out-qualified eight times by a pilot with 177 less race starts under his belt is not something Giancarlo should shrug off lightly. However, Fisichella’s strength lies with bonding the team together, providing quality feedback and using his wealth of knowledge to aspire the squad into believing they can do it. With a good car, these two drivers could score some regular points.

Undoubtedly, we’ll be watching the possible collaboration with McLaren closely, especially if the rules regarding customer cars are relaxed. Although it won’t come to much if Mercedes are unable to deliver the engines to the team’s headquarters because of a playful Eddie Jordan.

Force India 2008 Championship Results	Giancarlo Fisichella (Grid) Race	Adrian Sutil (Grid) Race
Australian Grand Prix Albert Park	(17) Retired	(19) Retired
Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang	(17) 12	(20) Retired
Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir	(18) 12	(20) 19
Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Catalunya	(19) 10	(20) Retired
Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul Park	(19) Retired	(20) 16
Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo	(20) Retired	(19) Retired
Canadian Grand Prix Circuit Gilles Villeneuve	(17) Retired	(16) Retired
French Grand Prix Magny Cours	(18) 18	(19) 19
British Grand Prix Silverstone	(20) Retired	(19) Retired
German Grand Prix Hockenheim	(20) 16	(19) 15
Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring	(18) 15	(20) Retired
European Grand Prix Valencia	(18) 14	(20) Retired
Belgian Grand Prix Spa Francorchamps	(20) 17	(18) 13
Italian Grand Prix Monza	(12) Retired	(20) 19
Singapore Grand Prix Singapore	(20) 14	(19) Retired
Japanese Grand Prix Fuji Speedway	(20) Retired	(19) Retired
Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai	(20) 17	(19) Retired
Brazilian Grand Prix Interlagos	(19) 18	(20) 16
Driver’s Championship Position	(0pts) 19th	(0pts) 20th
Constructor’s Championship Position	(0pts) 10th

Recommended Reading

• F12008: Force India Preview
• Force India Show Great Determination
• Adrian Sutil’s Stock Rises?
• Force India Get Into Q2
• Force India & McLaren Alliance On Hold

Original article by BlogF1.

F12008: Force India Weren’t The Force They Thought They Would Be

Force India have been running Ferrari engine units this season and at times the back-row minnows haven’t looked too bad. However, team owner Vijay Mallya has big dreams for his squad and would like a more complete package for his engine technical department. Combined with the admission that Ferrari are behind schedule with their KERS development, it is understandable why Mallya might be looking elsewhere for a different partnership.

I have asked for the entire drive-train and KERS package from both potential suppliers. Ferrari are not very sure that they can give me the entire drive-train. Adrian Sutil suffered gearbox failure [in Shanghai].

At the end of the day what sense does it make for me to have a great engine, a great KERS system, and a gearbox that’s tentative? That’s why I said go for the whole hog, a good tried and proven and tested package from the top two teams. And that’s what I’m seeking to achieve. Vijay Mallya.

Mallya has said that he will reimburse Ferrari for any engines they have developed for Force India for next year, but McLaren insist on having the current agreement with the Scuderia dealt with before anything can be signed at their end.

Ferrari and us are very, very close friends, we have an excellent relationship. We have told them exactly what we want. We are in discussion.

They are aware that I have talked to McLaren, so everything is completely transparent from our point of view. And it is also recognised that if for whatever reason we need to part, it will be a very friendly parting. And that’s all agreed.

If they have incurred some costs developing engines for us for next year, we’ll talk about it. We’re certainly not going to be bloody minded. If they have incurred costs on my behalf, I think I owe it to them to offer to reimburse.

Beyond that I think there is a very positive and friendly spirit on either side, and so they will not be any acrimony or any wilful enforcement of a contract. Vijay Mallya.

Mallya’s approach and transparency is quite refreshing in Formula One, and at the end of the day, the Indian billionaire is a businessman who wants the best he can afford for his team. An alliance with McLaren would be good for Mercedes and the Indian market – Force India have a very strong fanbase – and it would relieve some pressure from Ferrari who also supply Scuderia Toro Rosso with power-plants. And if the rules permitted it, a customer car from McLaren would certainly be a welcome boost to Force India, although that side of any deal will have to wait until the regulations are confirmed.

Original article by BlogF1.

Force India & McLaren Alliance On Hold

McLaren were discussing a similar deal with the now-defunct Prodrive entry a couple of years ago, company owner and former Benetton and BAR team manager Dave Richards hoping to get his own team into the sport. However, complications with the rules meant the deal fell through at a late stage and the project failed, ending hopes of a twelfth team joining the grid.

Since then, the Formula One Paddock has lost another squad due to cut-backs in support from a parent team, Aguri Suzuki’s Super Aguri team going into administration over the Turkish Grand Prix weekend earlier this year. And with the cost of running a Formula One team still being very high, Force India were hoping to save a few coins by entering a partnership with a more wealthy squad.

We are very open to trying to achieve our goal, which is not to make money or lose money, but to be an absolute supporter of one of the independent teams – who are not the lifeblood of F1 but an essential ingredient of F1. That is why we are doing it. We are doing it to assist an independent team. I think it will happen still, but it hasn’t happened yet. Ron Dennis.

A meeting between FOTA and the FIA is due to happen on Tuesday, the key discussion points being cost-cutting measures initially put forward by the FIA. Although it is unlikely that any firm outcome will result from the discussions, it may provide McLaren and Mercedes-Benz a better understanding of where the sport is heading in the near future and what they can and cannot do with regards to supplying support and equipment to another team.

Original article by BlogF1.

McLaren & Force India Collaboration Still On?

The practice run was red flagged four minutes from completion due to the severity of the rain making running very dangerous. The drains in the Monza pitlane became overwhelmed and even the drivers sheltering in the garage ended up getting wet feet as water trickled in from all quarters. Kazuki Nakajima experienced the most notable incident, sliding off at the first Lesmos and bouncing over the gravel, although Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Adrian Sutil and Nelson Piquet Jr all spun or took the scenic route around corners.

Monza 2008: Friday Free Practice One

Original article by BlogF1.

Monza 2008: Friday Morning Practice

So why should you take your hands off the steering wheel if you heading uncontrollably towards a barrier in a Formula One car? Surely it goes against natural instinct to want to bring the car under control before an impact, hopefully avoiding contact with anything other than the ground. But drivers often release their grip when they know they are no more than a passenger and there is little more they can do to prevent an accident.

The reason for this somewhat dismissive attitude towards car control is down to preserving the hands, fingers and wrists. When a driver turns the steering wheel of an F1 car, the front two wheels turn accordingly. However, if you were able to jack the car up and turn the wheels, guess what happens to the steering wheel? Yep, it will spin around. Under normal circumstances, there is little reason to want to do this, but when a car ploughs into a barrier, normal circumstances are thrown out of the window.

The impact of the front wheels into a barrier can violently snap the steering wheel around. If a drivers thumb is looped over the grip and his hands generally near the wheel, bones can very easily be broken, from fingers and thumbs to wrists. When Heikki Kovalainen went off during the Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the season, the video clearly shows the Finn releasing his grip moments before impact. And just as well to be fair, as after being checked out overnight in hospital, the McLaren driver walked away with no broken bones and just a minor concussion.

Further more to taking your hands off the wheel, drivers are encouraged to rest their hands on the top of their thighs and relax. I’m not entirely sure just how possible it is to relax moments before clouting a wall at 150mph, but then I’m not a racing driver. But relaxing the body helps limit injury and allow the energy to move better through the driver and car, apparently.

So there you have it. The reason why Fisichella was taken off to hospital for a check-up yesterday was because he failed to let go of the steering wheel and may have damaged his wrists. Thankfully the veteran of more than 200 races is fine, but will rest today and let team mate Adrian Sutil take the reins of the VJM01.

Update:
When I wrote this post earlier today I was hoping to use the video of Kovalainen’s accident to highlight a driver taking his hands off the wheel. But being a recent clip Bernie and his Band (FOM) have taken it down. However, with thanks to Bill Adkins (who will be making another appearance soon) we have a link to another incident where it is clear to see what a driver is doing with his hands. See, I do read my emails from time to time.

The incident was the European Grand Prix in 2005, and the situation was Kimi Raikkonen in the McLaren doing what every good racing driver does – continue driving no matter what. And here he is with a badly flat-spotted tyre. With only a few laps left though the Finn has to continue, and the vibrations finally rip the suspension apart heading out of the first sequence of corners. After spinning around and just about kissing the backside of Button, Kimi releases his hands and waits for impact. At 1 minute 45 seconds or so you get to see the incident from the onbaord camera and the steering wheel hack-sawing around, thankfully without his hands on it.

Image © HondaF1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Why Drivers Take Their Hands Off The Wheel In An Accident

There was a lot of gusting wind out there today, which can make direct comparisons difficult. Still, we made some progress with our set-up and aerodynamics programme. We are obviously looking to build on our result at last Sunday’s French Grand Prix. Now I hope we will be in good shape for another strong race here next week. Jarno Trulli.

Nico Rosberg ran well in the Williams and Nelson Piquet also had a moan about the windy conditions in Northamptonshire today. Piquet was also quelling the media who have been suggesting that he has only a limited number of races to improve his form. While Piquet may believe this to not be the case, Renault chiefs weren’t so hesitant to lay it on the line last month.

And for comedy value (because he was uninjured), Force India used their new engine cover fin today on Fisichella’s car, designed to improve stability now that the standard ECU on the cars limits the engine braking and can make the car unstable under heavy braking. Unfortunately though, Giancarlo Fisichella had a sizeable shunt going through the fast Becketts Complex and had stop testing for the rest of the day. The team have said (and this is the comedy bit) that Fisichella was caught out by a change in grip, and this was likely caused by a gust of wind and destabilised the car. Fisichella was taken to the medical centre as a precaution, but all is well with the Italian.

The car felt quicker even though the balance was not so good because of the high winds. Unfortunately I just got caught out by a change in grip and balance going through Becketts and went off the track and hit the barriers. I wasn’t hurt at all, but I did not take my hands off the wheel and they had to do some checks to make sure my wrist was okay. Giancarlo Fisichella.

The teams will be action again tomorrow as the test continues.

Silverstone Test: Day Two Times

Original article by BlogF1.

Silverstone Test Day Two: Heikki Goes Top, Fisi Goes Off

It wasn’t a perfect day for Ferrari though, as Massa was reported to have suffered a mechanical failure of some description, the result of which meant the Brazilian was stranded on the track for 30 minutes at the end of the day and brought out a red flag.

Robert Kubica was testing for BMW and the Pole managed to claim third place, 0.5s shy of Kovalainen’s McLaren and 0.4s ahead of Kobayashi’s Toyota. The Swiss-German team were trying a revised front wing today in the hopes that they can bring themselves back into contention following a poor result in France last weekend.

Other than Massa’s final stoppage at the end, the red flags were shown on two other occasions during the day, the first incident being the engine failure in the Toyota, the second flag coming out for Nelson Piquet Jr who stopped on the start/finish straight just after lunch. Piquet completed the least laps (aside from Sebastian Vettel who had car-trouble) and only toured the circuit 68 times. However, the Renault pilot managed to finish in seventh and only a few hundredths shy of Mark Webber’s Red Bull in sixth.

Sebastian Vettel had a fuel system issue which meant he could only complete ten laps and pretty much wasted his entire day. However, Scuderia Toro Rosso will field the German driver tomorrow in the hopes that they can achieve something meaningful. Vitantonio Liuzzi was testing some serious modifications on the Force India, the team announcing several key updates will be on the car for the British Grand Prix in early-July. Mike Gascoyne has stated that the VJM01 will receive a Red Bull-style engine cover fin, as well as a general aero upgrade, new sidepods, front wing and diffuser. The Silverstone-based team will also run a modified suspension as well as a front inerter damper.

We need to be half a second a lap quicker and hopefully we should be making a step of several tenths. But then moving from that, at the next test around Hockenheim we should be running our quickshift box. So we have quite a lot updates coming and we clearly need them. Mike Gascoyne.

A front iner… what!? I don’t actually know what an inerter damper is, but a general damper is designed to reduce vibration in a car. When a Formula One car hits a bump on the track surface or runs over a kerb, it can very easily bounce up into the air. While the wheel is not in contact with the ground, it isn’t utilising the controls effectively and obviously isn’t gripping the road. In other words, if it isn’t moving forwards, it’s losing time. The damper can assist this by helping the car keep in contact with the ground by limiting the effect of vibrations as well as the knock-on effects of running over kerbs and the like.

Renault famously used a tuned mass-damper system up until mid-2006 when the FIA put a stop to it, by which time a lot of other teams had adopted the idea. Renault’s version was a spring-mounted mass in the nose that was developed during 2006 and also fitted to the rear of the car, but according to team boss Flavio Briatore, McLaren complained to the FIA and started one of Formula One’s more controversial episodes.

Check out this page from scarbsf1.com that explains how dampers work a lot better than me.

I can only presume that an inerter damper is somehow legal in the eyes of the FIA, or Gascoyne – a wise chap – wouldn’t have been so open about developing and using such a device. Renault said that when their tuned mass-damper was made illegal and they removed the device from the car, they lost about 0.3s per lap. Therefore, Force India could be about to gain a fair amount of time if their inerter-thingy works well. We’ll see how they do tomorrow when they try out other parts as well.

Oh, and if anyone actually knows more about inerter dampers, feel free to explain in the comments.

Silverstone Test: Day One Times

Original article by BlogF1.

Silverstone Test Day One: A Busy Day For Massa & Dampers

According to Autosport, Whitmarsh has spoken of a problem with Hamilton’s tyre, perhaps after running over the debris remaining from Nico Rosberg’s sizable accident. The incident that left pieces of the Williams all over the track forced the drivers to weave around the area, and it is thought that this may have resulted in Hamilton picking up a slow puncture.

We had a look, there was a bit of floor damage, we checked and when a tyre comes in flailing. We checked it and structurally it was fine. But he had a puncture on the slow down lap as well. We were lucky in that regard. It was a right rear puncture… probably from debris from Nico’s accident. Martin Whitmarsh.

McLaren are lucky the race was called to an end at the two hour mark and not allowed to continue to lap 78. Also among Whitmarsh’s explanations was one for Heikki’s apparent stall on the grid. Kovalainen’s race was essentially ruined by his failing to leave the grid on the warm-up lap, and the Finnish driver was forced to start from the pitlane in last position. However, it turns out that the stall was not Heikki’s fault.

It was a software glitch that robbed him of control of the clutch before the start, so we had to reset that, so he was very, very unlucky and did a fantastic job. Martin Whitmarsh.

And as reported just now on BlogF1, Mike Gascoyne has asked the Monaco stewards to look at the Raikkonen incident that saw the retirement of Adrian Sutil from a stunning fourth place. Had Sutil finished, it would have been his and the team’s first points and an award justly deserved after the German’s race. However, both Sutil and Gascoyne were summoned to the stewards’ office anyway, although not for what they were expecting.

Sutil had passed a string of cars on lap 13, including Rubens Barrichello, Kazuki Nakajima and Nelson Piquet Jr., all done while the circuit was covered under yellow flags.

The stewards do want to warn the driver of car no.20 as to his future behaviour in relation to appendix H, Chapter 2, Article 4.1.2b of the international sporting code. Steward’s Statement.

The stewards have issued Sutil with a warning, and undoubtedly if the German driver commits a similar infraction in the future will be more heavily reprimanded.

Original article by BlogF1.

Monaco 2008: Immediate Updates On Sutil & Hamilton

Before discussing Sutil though, it should be noted that Force India have taken issue with Raikkonen’s driving to the stewards, but quite what the team hope to achieve from this is not all that obvious. Mike Gascoyne was particularly upset, stating that had Sutil hit Raikkonen, they would have been in trouble. Personally, I don’t see how, and it sounds like a lot of sour grapes to me.

The frustration is that if that had been a Force India driver hitting a world champion we would expect to get a one or two race ban, but when it is the other way around it is disappointing that the stewards… well you know I hope they look at it and act accordingly. We have asked the stewards immediately to look at it because they should do.

That sort of driving, taking someone else out needlessly, as I said if that had been someone at the back, a young guy doing it, they would get a penalty. But it doesn’t seem to happen the other way around. Mike Gascoyne.

I don’t think Raikkonen did what he did on purpose. It is certainly disappointing, but it isn’t like the stewards can roll back the clock and change history. Or even remove Raikkonen’s points – he too lost out in the accident and failed to score. Hopefully Gascoyne will calm down this evening and focus on the team and the Canadian Grand Prix in a fortnight.

Anyway, on with Adrian Sutil…

So far in the 2008 season, Sutil has remained pretty much at the back of the pack alongside his team mate Giancarlo Fisichella. Since Super Aguri withdrew, the Silverstone-based team have actually been at the back. However, Force India are in Formula One for the longhaul and new owner Vijay Mallya has been injecting much needed funds into the team. Undoubtedly, their aim is slowly move forward and gain competitiveness as the next few years pass. Understandably, I can see where Fisichella fits into all this. But judging by Sutil’s first six races of the year, one has to wonder why many believe he is good enough for Formula One.

Australia and Malaysia were both retired from for Sutil, and he finished in ninteenth in Bahrain. Spain was Adrian’s third retirement and Turkey brought him sixteenth. Monaco would have been fourth or fifth, but alas, it goes down as a retirement in the record book. Team mate Giancarlo Fisichella hasn’t done much better, but it is better nonetheless. The Italian half of the duo generally qualifies better and has two twelfth-place finishes so far in 2008 as well as a tenth from the Spanish round.

It was disappointing to see Sutil retire from the race this afternoon, and no doubt this was the team’s best chance to score points this year. And with their nearest rivals Scuderia Toro Rosso scoring again, it is unlikely Force India will be able to beat their Italian pitlane neighbours by the end of the season. However, while Sutil drove very well today, the circumstances in which his ‘result’ occurred need to be taken into consideration. When looking at the whole season so far, one has to say that the German pianist is not performing all that well.

One swallow does not make a summer, but unfortunately the same commentator who compared Lewis Hamilton’s drive to the Monaco-master Ayrton Senna five times today, also believes that Sutil’s performance in the adverse conditions this afternoon is enough to warrant a drive for 2009. As I say, one swallow does not make a summer.

Original article by BlogF1.

Force India Moan As Sutil’s Stock Apparently Rises

Force India is in fact the same team that Karthikeyan drove for back in 2005, although it has changed hands a few times since. Currently, Indian businessman Vijay Mallya owns the squad and has invested much needed funds into the development and improvement of the team. Only last weekend did the outfit show off their new motor home in the Spanish paddock, equaling the already impressive McLaren Brand Centre located next door. Considering the difference in budgets the two teams run on, the new-and-improved image is certainly a strong statement.

But A1GP’s chairman doesn’t feel the team, which does have ‘Indian flavours’, are sending out the right message to the millions of Indian fans who cheer Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil at the races.

The Force India thing, although great for India, is a little bit negative in terms of youngsters and getting them to race if you are never going to win a race.

It’s the wrong message. I think Vijay is trying to set something up which is a long-term plan but it’s not the right message having Force India and non-Indian drivers.

I don’t see Force India winning a race in F1 for the next five years. Tony Teixeira.

From that, I would suggest Teixeira wants the message to be something like ‘It’s not the taking part, it’s the winning that counts.’ Or, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, count your losses and give up.’ Honestly, that is exactly what went through my mind when I read those quotes from the A1GP boss. Of course winning is important, but it was Tony who mentioned children in his quote. Had he been talking about grown men and women then obviously it is all about the winning. And be it far from me to suggest to someone how they should run their team or racing series, but attitude is very important, as is persistence, determination, and waiting a little while (ie. more than four races) before judging. These are my own personal beliefs, I hasten to add, but polite, patient and respectful they certainly are.

The whole article seems to read as a ‘big-up’ for A1GP, and perhaps the comments about Force India were just to draw attention to himself and the series. There was also a small part about the Formula One team not running an Indian driver, but this is easily rebutted with performance reasons. If Mallya could find an Indian driver with the experience and capabilities of Fisichella, I’m sure he’d sign them up – it would be a marketing dream for the squad. Alas, I can only presume Mallya believes Karthikeyan, or any other Indian driver, is not at that level just yet.

India will almost certainly become a major force in international motor sport in the future, and it is the intention to hold a race there next season. But instead of slagging off the efforts of Mallya and his team, surely he should be praising their participation and offering verbal support privately or through the media, rather than suggesting that because they aren’t winning yet, they should not compete.

Original article by BlogF1.

Tony Teixeira Is Sending Out The Wrong Message

McLaren had been given spot five on the pit lane for the first three races of the season, but a letter from Max Mosley urging Bernie Ecclestone to stay true to his previous way of ordering things meant that McLaren have now been squeezed in at the other end. However, McLaren appear to be taking it well and said at the time that it didn’t really bother them. Presumably they had been expecting this since September last year when they were thrown out of the constructors championship – the reason why the move around for the Woking team.

Guests of McLaren got to enjoy the luxurious surroundings of their Brand Centre, a huge construction that dominates the far end of the paddock. The team’s head of Communications and Public Relations and former editor of F1 Racing publication, Matt Bishop, said that the afternoon went well and the vibe was friendly.

The lads and lasses of Super Aguri and Force India are a great bunch, so we thought we’d invite them round for a cup of tea and a few slices of cake. About 20 people from each team turned up, and the vibe was really friendly. Matt Bishop.

Anthony Davidson also enjoyed his time in the temporary building, although being a racing driver who is hoping to be in action this weekend, stuck to the apple juice.

It was the first time I’d been inside the famous ‘Brand Centre’, and I was very impressed. And the apple juice was delicious – I gather it’s produced to Ron Dennis’s personal specification. Anthony Davidson.

I hear on the grapevine that next on Ron’s list is a Neighbourhood Watch scheme with once-fortnightly meetings.

Original article by BlogF1.

Super Aguri & Force India Enjoy Tea At Ron’s Expense

A tenth of a second has never mattered as much as now. All the guys at the track and back at the factory are doing everything they possibly can to get every millisecond and we are now tantalisingly close to that competitive midfield group. [...] We’re no longer at the back and though it will get tougher here on in, it’s a golden opportunity for us. Vijay Mallya.

Vijay stating there that they are “no longer at the back”, but failing to mention that in all honesty, all the team are beating at the moment in qualifying are Super Aguri, the odd STR, and a stranded Renault or penalised Williams. Still, it is only a few tenths as the midfield are all relatively close to one another.

Team principal Colin Kolles was also optimistic of his team’s abilities, going as far as suggesting points.

Our targets this time out will be to reach Q2 in qualifying and to score points. We are working very hard to reach these targets and I am confident we will reach them sooner rather than later. Colin Kolles.

I think Force India are perhaps being a little too optimistic, but the improvements are slowly coming their way. Qualifying aside, Fisichella has managed to finish twelfth in the two race distances he has completed, although the team should be concentrating their efforts on team mate Adrian Sutil at the moment. The German driver has failed to finish on two occasions, and his best result so far this year was in Bahrain. He finished in last place behind the Super Aguri’s, although largely thanks to a few incidents earlier in the race.

Original article by BlogF1.

Force India Show Great Determination

According to a report in Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell, Jordan has tried to sell his remaining portion of land to Force India. But owners Vijay Mallya and Michiel Mol have so far refused to buy it. Normally you would think this isn’t too much of a problem and surely Jordan would be content just holding on to it, or even charge rent for it. But the problem arises when you realise the particular plot of land involved is actually the entrance to the factory, and for some bizarre reason, Jordan really wants Force India to buy it.

Cue the concrete blockade. No, I’m not joking either. According to Motorsport Aktuell, while the team was away in Australia and Malaysia this month, Jordan ordered a truckload of concrete and had it delivered to the access road that he owns. The dumping of the concrete inhibits access and has caused a mild chuckle from myself. It’s good to hear Eddie hasn’t lost his humour, even if that wasn’t his intention.

Update: According to Craig, this story is actually a few days old already. Still funny though.

Original article by BlogF1.

Eddie Jordan: Still Causing Mayhem In Formula One

Over at BlogF1, I have a series going whereby some guests have written for me. The idea was for some of Formula One’s most talented writers to discuss how they see the driver pairings in the top four teams fair this upcoming season. And before you all ask, vee8’s very own Duncan is due on Monday.

But one of the pairings has not been discussed, and in the spirit of getting guests to post at BlogF1, I thought I’d return the favour and talk a little here. The team is Force India and the drivers in question are Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil. One driver is in the twilight of his career, the other is just starting out. A hot-blooded Italian vs. a quiet and controlled German. Throw in a car that is meant to be slow, but has shocked a few in testing, and the recipe for fireworks is all set. All we need now is a spark…

So why am I keen to see how Fisichella and Sutil work things out this year? Well, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a fan of the Italian. I remember his first full-time season back in 1997, notably the German Grand Prix where he ran Michael Schumacher ragged for a short while. Since then though, Fisichella has always found himself in the wrong car at the wrong time. A move to Benetton should have been his breakthrough, but the team were on the decline. Four years of rebuilding the car in to something that resembled a point-scorer and Fisichella was sent back to Jordan so Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso could collect the glory. The Sauber move was hoped to become a stepping stone to Ferrari, but alas it didn’t happen. And then Fisichella found himself back at Benetton, since renamed Renault, and partnered with the fast Alonso.

Having had his reputation of demoralising team mates shattered by the Spaniard, Fisichella has found solace at Force India, a team that should learn from the experience of the wise campaigner. Giancarlo can build the team around him, develop relationships and hopefully push the squad further and harder, much like he did in the Benetton-days.

Only two things stand in his way: The car and his team mate.

If the team cannot build a decent car then Fisichella’s hard work won’t be rewarded. If new team owner Vijay Mallya doesn’t employ the right minds, then Force India will simply remain at the back, regardless of who’s driving.

The other obstacle, Adrian Sutil, could potentially do a lot of damage though. Fisichella is known to be fast, especially in comparison to his team mate. Ignoring the fact that Alonso comprehensively beat him in 2005 and 2006, and that Heikki Kovalainen beat him last time around, Fisichella has similarly destroyed many a team mate himself. Wurz and Button have both felt his wrath, Sato and Firman are two more and as recently as 2004, Massa got a good thrashing as well.

But Sutil is pretty quick as well. At least, I reckon so. For sure, he’s yet to score a point, lead a race or challenge a world champion. Running at the top of the practice tables in Monaco while it was pouring with rain impressed me, and I think he has the talent needed to progress well in the sport, even though it may cost Fisichella dearly. If Sutil, in equal equipment, ends up finishing 2008 ahead of his team mate, then I fear the writing’s on the wall for the Fizz. Four years straight would probably be too much for any team boss to take. The fireworks resulting from such pressures could be very interesting to watch, but I don’t think we’re going to see any pops, bangs or whizzes this year.

I’m hoping that Giancarlo can do a Coulthard and find his fighting spirit again. I’m hoping he and Sutil have a great year and battle their way up to the midfield. Fisichella hasn’t got much time left in the sport; he’ll never become world champion now and even further wins are probably out of the window. But if he plays his cards right, focuses on driving and avoids the political shenanigans, he could very easily join DC in the grumpy, old, but still quick club.

This post was originally written for and published at vee8.

Original article by BlogF1.

Fisichella: Grumpy & Old, But Still Quick?