Preview
Formula 1
Sahara Force India gets ready for Abu Dhabi GP
Sahara Force India looks to keep momentum at Yas Marina Circuit.
Published: Oct 30, 2013, 3:49 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Vijay’s Vision
Dr Vijay Mallya looks back on a successful weekend in India and ahead to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Dr Mallya, how satisfying was it to see both cars score points in India?
I was delighted with the double points finish; I don't think we could have done much better. The result was due to a combination of the small steps we've made optimising the set-up and some out-of-the-box thinking in terms of strategy. That's got to be the mantra for the next three races.
Given how challenging the second part of the season has been, it must be a welcome boost for team morale…
The last few races have been frustrating for us. Even tracks such as Monza and Spa, where we have traditionally been strong, did not work out well for us. But I feel that a lot of the frustration is now behind us, not quite all of it, but most of it. The car is working better and we seem to be heading in the right direction.
Adrian Sutil, Sahara Force India VJM06
Photo by: XPB Images
It was another successful event as a whole for India. How important is it that Formula One returns to India in the near future?
India is an economy that cannot be ignored. This country has enormous potential, not just for Sahara Force India, but in terms of all the partners and stakeholders in Formula One. It's unfortunate that there won't be a race in 2014, but the promoter has assured me personally and also assured the Indian fans at large in media interviews that the race will return from 2015 on a sustainable basis. With that kind of optimism and forceful commitment all I can do is hope that it will return.
What are your thoughts ahead of this weekend’s race in Abu Dhabi?
We're certainly very happy that we got things right last weekend and there's no reason why we shouldn't be in the points going forward. Don’t forget this team was a regular top ten finisher in the first half of the year, so we just need to recapture our old form. Our performance in India showed what we are capable of and there's no reason why we can't carry this through to the final three races.
Paul on Abu Dhabi
Paul Di Resta reflects on a strong Indian Grand Prix and looks forward to racing at Yas Marina.
Paul, a strong drive in India must have been a welcome boost in the team’s home race…
It’s a well-earned result by everyone and very important for the team’s hopes in the championship. We’ve had a tough run of things lately, so to get two cars in the points at the team’s home race has given us something to smile about.
After a tricky second half of the season do you feel more optimistic heading into this weekend?
We will certainly go to Abu Dhabi to try and repeat the performance. The direction we’ve taken with the car recently is more of a back-to-basics approach, which has helped. It’s given me more confidence and I can be more committed with the car. That’s really important for a driver and it will help us for both qualifying and the race.
Abu Dhabi is a spectacular venue for Formula One. Do you enjoy the event?
I enjoy driving there because it’s a twilight race and one of the more spectacular events of the year – a bit like Singapore. As a track you don’t have to rely too much on aero performance because it’s mostly low-speed and that should suit our car quite well.
Adrian on Abu Dhabi
Adrian Sutil gets set for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Adrian, you must have been happy to pick up two points following your one-stop strategy in the Indian Grand Prix…
I think the strategy we chose led us to the best result we could achieve. It just shows that if you try something a bit different you can come away with a good result. It was the riskier choice because the soft tyre was an unknown experience in race conditions, but I was able to look after it well and I still had strong pace in the last few laps of the race.
How is the mood in the team after a strong performance at the team’s home race?
We certainly needed some points and I think we are feeling more optimistic now. The car had a very nice balance in India – it was easier to drive, much more consistent and that helped us achieve the one-stop race. With both cars in the points everybody is feeling more positive going into this weekend.
What about your thoughts on the Yas Marina circuit?
It’s one of the most perfect tracks on the calendar because there’s not a stone out of place! It almost feels like a futuristic venue and with the harbour location it’s like a second Monaco. The track layout is not my favourite because it’s mostly low-speed, but as an event it’s certainly a highlight of the year.
Sahara Force India Formula One Team
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 Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton eager for a twilight race at Abu Dhabi
Next article Toro Rosso pleased to be part of the “Kullunna Khalifa” in UAE
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adrian Sutil
Adrian Sutil’s $22million Koenigsegg hypercar goes missing amid alleged blackmail case
Formula 1
Formula 1
Miami GP
Adrian Sutil’s $22million Koenigsegg hypercar goes missing amid alleged blackmail case
Adrian Sutil’s lawyer alleges €17m Monaco garage raid after “cars out, or else” threat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya Pre-Season Testing
Adrian Sutil’s lawyer alleges €17m Monaco garage raid after “cars out, or else” threat
Adrian Sutil's lawyer issues statement after ex-F1 driver's arrest in Germany
Formula 1
Formula 1
Abu Dhabi GP
Adrian Sutil's lawyer issues statement after ex-F1 driver's arrest in Germany
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
Noah Gragson apologizes to Daniel Suarez for spinning him at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
11 min
Noah Gragson apologizes to Daniel Suarez for spinning him at Homestead
Ex-DTM champion Guven fails to clear Formula E license hurdle: What is Porsche doing?
DTM
DTM DTM 17 min
Ex-DTM champion Guven fails to clear Formula E license hurdle: What is Porsche doing?
Ferrari explains tyre pressure mistake in Monza WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
20 min
Ferrari explains tyre pressure mistake in Monza WEC
Winners and losers from a different NASCAR Cup finale at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
33 min
Winners and losers from a different NASCAR Cup finale at Homestead
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