Force India Preview

2011 Chinese Grand Prix Preview 5 - 17 April 2011

The Chinese Grand Prix will be the third round of the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship and the final event in the trio of flyaway races that opened the season. Held at the state of the art Shanghai International Circuit on the outskirts of China's largest city, the Force India Formula One Team will be heading to this event with high hopes of keeping its recent run of form. Paul Di Resta picked up his second points-finish of the year in Malaysia with a fighting 10th place, with Adrian only just outside the top ten, taking the team's season total to four points to date.

Adrian Sutil, Force India

Photo by: xpb.cc

Team Q&A

Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal

After a difficult winter testing here we are, two races in to the season, with two point's finishes. It's very pleasing to see how we have progressed over the last few weeks, by keeping our heads down and focussing on our game. The teams at Brackley and Silverstone have done a great job with the VJM004 so far, and with upgrades due for the coming races, I am optimistic that we shall be able to continue improving our form and making steps forward to increase our pace. We head to China with our heads held high and in good spirits for another successful race.

Adrian Sutil (car 14, VJM04/04)

It is quite an interesting, modern circuit with an extensive Paddock. The track has unique corners, with very long right handers where you really have to get everything right to gain an advantage. There are different lines you can take, so there are many ways to approach a lap, and the long straight where you can normally pass quite well. The weather can a little bit tricky with cold and sometimes wet conditions, but in general it is a grand prix I like. The metropolitan city is also exciting, with an amazing skyline, shopping and restaurants, it's usually a good weekend and I am happy to go there.

Paul Di Resta (car 15, VJM04/02)

China will be di Resta’s third GP

Photo by: xpb.cc

I am looking forward to the race in China. It is quite a technical track and one that I am keen to experience more as I had a small taste of it last year. It will be interesting to see how the DRS activation works with the rear wing in Shanghai because if its going to work anywhere that's where it will be because it has a very long straight. The corners are very long, with big radiuses. I visited Shanghai city twice last year, and it is huge with an amazing culture and great things to see, so it should be a good weekend.

Nico Hülkenberg, test and reserve driver

The Shanghai circuit is a huge progressive facility and there are some nice corners on the track. For me there shall be some evaluation work of the prime tyres in FP1, driving Adrian's car for the first time; which is not a problem as I know all the team and engineers very well. Over a race weekend I also try to assist the engineers, to a certain extent, during our meetings. I listen to feedback from the other drivers for their experience of the track for my future reference and I speak to the engineers afterwards to see what kind of direction they are taking. The meetings also keep me up to date with the current facts of Formula 1, so I am prepared to be in the car at any time should I need to be.

Source: Force India