Force India rule out repeat Spa result

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Force India has ruled out a repeat of its performance at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix, the scene of the team’s first pole position with Giancarlo Fisichella and a second place finish.

Force India driver Adrian Sutil said: "Of course last year the team had a dream result at Spa, with the pole and then the podium, so we’ll go back there with confidence knowing that this has been historically a track we’ve performed very well on. But this is 2010 and we have to look at what we are doing now rather than to the past."

The team will fit its new blown diffuser for practice in Belgium, as well as new low-downforce specification front and rear wings.

Team Principal Dr Vijay Mallya said: "Everyone in the team is looking forward to this second part of the season. We are currently sixth in the championship and we’ve got to make sure that we hang on to it by optimising everything we can. And Spa is a great track to start on a roll.

"We have a good car in low downforce trim, which counts at a track like Spa and Monza. We also have a new rear wing package to use this race in conjunction with the F-duct, which is working very well.

"Additionally we will be using the new blown floor on both cars on Friday. We tried it in Hungary, and we hope to actually race it in Spa if the information we gather shows as much of an improvement as it did there."

Mallya added:

All the same, we’re not pinning all our hopes on Spa and Monza. It’s going to be tough to replicate the kind of form we showed in Spa last year: everybody’s improved, the competition is fierce and also very even in the midfield – the gaps between teams is so small now.

We also still have some updates coming for the rest of the season so it’s going to be pushing all the way, right through to Abu Dhabi. We’ve got the opportunity to achieve our best finish in the championship in many years and it’s not something I’m going to let go lightly.
Mallya

Reserve driver Paul di Resta will sit out Friday running at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix:

"Unfortunately I’m not going to be in the car this time out as Spa is a pretty unique track. We’ve also got some work to do on the new blown floor and the low downforce package so it’s natural we need to give the race drivers the additional time to properly evaluate.

"I’m happy with this – although it’s always hard to sit out on such a great track – as it’s a team effort and we’ve got a big fight on our hands to hold onto sixth in the championship. I’ll get my chance in Monza, which I can’t wait for."

2010 Belgian Grand Prix

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    10 comments on “Force India rule out repeat Spa result”

    1. not hopeful? i’m sure they would be hopeful of a good repeat result, just not ‘expectant’.

      1. That was my thought exactly. Every team is hopeful…

        1. So it was just me thinking the main problem was it’s too long?

          There is also blind hope? Better to be realistic.

    2. This team just loose their tracks in the last couple of races. I don’t think they will be keeping that 6th place in the championship standing if they struggle in the next two races.

    3. Oh come one, the team are just saying they don’t come here expecting to get into the pole fight nor fighting for the podium.
      They probably expect a good shot of getting both cars into the top ten on the grid and serious points, but have to tone down expectations not to be disappointed with say 5-7th place in the race.

      1. I guess with no drama the top 6 places will be filled with Red Bull, Mclaren, & Ferrari. Then the next four with a mixed of Renault, Mercedes (if lucky then 2) Williams & Sauber. Force India needs to be lucky if they get in the top 10.

        1. I dont think same as you, I feel straight line speed will still be an advantage for FI. So 5th place would not be difficult. I dont think Renault will be effective on this circuit. I expect suber to give some challenge. But if it rains podium is also possible(but only for Sutil :))

      2. I agree. They know they do not have a shot at pole tomorrow. I do however, predict a top 6 finish for Sutil.

    4. If we get rain, we might see a non-EBD car do quite well I think…. although there aren’t any now! Perhaps McLaren should have forgot about the EBD and gambled on their being a few wet races coming up in order to get back in the hunt, I can’t see them doing so any other way.

      1. Why would EBD make such an impact? It caught the headlines for a few days, but after that everyone realised that it was just a tiny improvement for Q3 (1 to 2 tenths max)

        The Blow Diffusor in itself gives a lot more advantage. Possibly making the wings and front floor flex up to the maximum will help a lot too.

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