Assessment (6/12): Force India has grown a lot

Third season in Formula 1 for Force India, the year of revelation. In 2008, the team based at Silverstone learned: last year, the team in Indian colors achieved some brilliant achievements at the end of the season; In 2010, ambitions are now higher, with points expected at every race. A linear and smooth progression.

However, last year, Vijay Mallya's team seemed far from the top places. But, at the end of the season, the VJM02, deliberately reduced in aerodynamic downforce, was able to show its full potential at Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, the first being considered the justice of the peace of the F1 season, the second often being called " the temple of speed.

This season, the Silverstone team has progressed further and is no longer the small team on the grid. In this area, Lotus, Virgin and HRT have taken over. Above all, Force India was able to come back, in terms of performance, on teams such as Toro Rosso, who must now take care of herself alone without the help of Red Bull, Sauber, which lost the support of BMW, and Williams, still in training with a new duo of drivers and a new engine (Cosworth).

Vijay Mallya's team is therefore, after the first four Grands Prix of the season, in sixth place in the manufacturers' standings. The two drivers, Tonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil, are regular candidates for access to Q3, the phase of the qualifying session which brings together the ten fastest drivers, and therefore the top 10 in the race, in order to score points. Results that were optimistically expected at the start of the season?

« We ended 2009 on a very good note, declared Vijay Mallya, boss of Force India, before the start of the season. First points, first podium and one place better in the manufacturers' standings. This season we are determined to move up a gear. Regularly appearing in the points and getting on the podium on a few occasions are our main goals, and we know it is possible. I have complete confidence in my drivers and my engineers, and I think we work very well together. If they feel confident in their car then they will be able to attack. »

Six weeks after these declarations, Vyjay Mallya's wishes were granted. The podium is not there yet but Force India has shown that its car can compete with those of the top teams on several occasions. Adrian Sutil notably showed the way in Malaysia, finishing fifth ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa and Jenson Button.

These performances encourage the German to want to return to the closest team in the constructors' ranking, Renault. " We're pretty close, says Sutil. I think we are still two tenths short of beating them. This year, the Renaults are off to an excellent start. We need to focus on that. We are not bad, but we can improve. »

Beyond the duel against Renault, Adrian Sutil knows that Force India is having a very good start to the season. “ Our car is capable of regularly appearing in the Top 10. We are very strong this year. It?s great to see where we are. We can fight against the big teams. It?s not easy, but it can happen, you just have to seize these opportunities. In the rain, it's obvious that we perform very well. Developments are also planned for the next races. If we continue on this path, we could become a regular contender in Q3. »

Vitantonio Liuzzi, holder since the end of last season and the departure of Giancarlo Fisichella for Ferrari, also believes that his team can now play in the big leagues. “ We do great things, says the Italian driver this week to autosport. We are consistent in points and we have shown that we are no longer a small team. These kinds of things keep you alive, push you to keep believing, and help you stay motivated. »

Before Barcelona, ​​Force India is therefore the sixth team in the field but remains under direct threat from Toro Rosso and Williams, who have had good races occasionally. But Adrian Sutil remains confident, thinking that the hierarchy will not change. “ The car should perform very well there. The Top 10 should be similar to that of the first races. Nobody is going to find a way to make their car gain half a second per lap, because now it is really difficult to improve the cars. Everyone is in a situation where earning even the slightest tenth is exceedingly difficult. »