Force India says securing fourth would be "remarkable achievement"

The Silverstone-based outfit is 27 points ahead of Williams in the fight for fourth place in the constructors' championship with only the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remaining.

Accepting that only a freak result would allow its main rival to get in front, Force India senses that its fourth place spot is now well within its grasp.

When asked what capturing that position would mean, deputy team principal Bob Fernley told Motorsport.com: "I just think from a morale point of view, to have three world championship-[winning] teams in front of you and three behind of you, given our budget with the fact that we have done it progressively over a period of time, it has not happened by accident.

"It is a remarkable achievement. We have got 380 people to thank for that."

Mallya praise

Fernley thinks that one of the key elements that has allowed Force India to punch about its weight is the way that team principal Vijay Mallya has gone about supporting his outfit.

He believes that Mallya's backing, allied to a motivated and hard-working staff, has helped Force India thrive while some rival outfits have struggled.

"I think it's down to these people," he said. "I think this is really a strong race team and everyone has a tremendous work ethic, a tremendous competition ethic and we are driven by a good owner, who has put in resource when he can to make sure that we have all the elements necessary.

"We certainly don't have the budget of teams that are ahead or behind us, but I think it just goes to show how competitive you can be if you do the job well."