Force India 2011 season preview

The VJM04: looking to the future

The Force India F1 Team finished the 2010 season in seventh position in the constructors' championship with 68 points, nine top ten starts and 15 points scoring finishes - its best-ever finish in Formula One. It was a remarkable step forward for the tight-knit, small outfit that was created just three years ago. The team's new challenger, the VJM04, builds on these solid foundations. Together with one of the strongest driver line-ups on the grid, Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg, this year the team is looking forward to a strong performance continued throughout the year until the season finale in Brazil.

Chairman and team principal Dr Vijay Mallya said, '2010 was an exceptional year for the team, 68 points overall, seventh in the championship with only teams who had previously won world titles ahead of us, which demonstrated we are still on target to achieve our goals.

'And this year there is even more to be optimistic about. We've got three race drivers that are hungry to take the next steps in their careers, whether that be points, podiums or wins. We have an experienced technical team that have the ingenuity, flexibility and drive to adapt to the new wave of rule changes, and we also have the tools and resources in our partnerships with McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines to aim even higher.

'Not to mention the very special event, and one that I personally can't wait for, the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. What better place would there be to reach some of those aims than on our home soil?'

Adrian Sutil added, 'I'm genuinely excited about the 2011 season. I just missed out on the top 10 last year in the drivers' standings - I'm pretty hopeful I can get in there this season! The progress the team has shown over the past two years has been very impressive and what I've seen in the factory and at the wind tunnel over the past weeks indicates that the rate will continue this year. I feel very good and confident; the team and I know each other very well and we know how to get the most from each other.'

Paul di Resta commented, 'I don't want to say exact targets on record as there are so many factors that can come into play. What I do want to do is to have a positive approach, finish, be consistent and contribute strongly to the team's overall performance. We've got high aims of finishing in a good constructors' championship position and I know that I've got to play my part in this.'

Nico Hulkenberg said, 'I'm really looking forward to this season and working with the team. We still need some time to fit together perfectly, but the start was very promising and finding each other will not take too long. I can't wait to sit in the car and work with the team again.'

Note to editors: Images: Images of the VJM04 are now available on www.forceindiaf1images.com. Username: forceindia Password: force@india

Video: A video featuring an interview with technical director Andrew Green and exclusive footage of the VJM04 will be available shortly. Full details to follow.

Team information and press pack: Profiles of key team personnel, the VJM04 technical specification and a basic press pack is now available on http://media.forceindiaf1.com. Register online for your unique username and password.

The VJM04 will make its official testing debut later this week at the Jerez circuit in Spain. There will be a roll out of the car with a photo call before the start of running - full details will be announced in due course.

For further information: Lucy Genon Communications Manager Mobile: +44 (0)7734 202020 Lucy.genon@forceindiaf1.com

For images of the Force India Formula One Team, please go to www.forceindiaf1images.com and use the username forceindia, password force@india.

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