Breaking news
Formula 1
Force India braced for tougher 2016
Force India concedes it is going to face a tough time if it is to repeat its strong 2015 form this year, as it expects stronger challenges from Toro Rosso and McLaren.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Jan 5, 2016, 12:18 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Silverstone-based outfit finished a best ever fifth in the constructors' championship this year after capitalising on an upswing in pace from its B-spec car that arrived at the British Grand Prix.
Looking ahead to its prospects for 2016, Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer told Motorsport.com: "Toro Rosso with a new power train and their two good drivers with twice the experience, they are going to be good.
"I can't see McLaren and Honda staying where they are forever, and they will one day come good. So even people that we beat, there's no guarantee that you are going to beat them.
"It will be difficult. But for sure we will look forward as to how can we beat the guys in front – so it will be a fierce fight.
"We have to plan our resources properly and just continue doing what we are doing."
2017 looming
One issue that will likely take on increasing importance next year is when teams switch over all their resources to preparing their 2017 cars.
For smaller outfits like Force India, it could be make or break to their campaigns as they will not have the budget to run parallel development programmes.
"A big thing next year is going to be when do you switch from 2016 to 2017?" he said. "Because 2017 is such a big change, we are going to have to make a strategic decision on when do you swap.
"People at the back will swap early, maybe people at the front will swap early, but the guys in the middle that are fighting for position it is much harder."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Grosjean: Haas move no stepping stone to Ferrari
Next article Renault: F1 engine rules not "fit for purpose"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Force India
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Formula 1
Formula 1
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Latest news
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 30 min
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
1 h
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 2 h
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
3 h
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe