Ahead of the European leg of the season, the Force India F1 team can look back on the start of the year feeling pretty happy. They have continued their 100% points-scoring record by adding another 14 points in Sochi to consolidate their fourth place in the championship
“I'm proud of the team and how we are performing,” said Vijay Mallya. “We're taking our chances and racing intelligently.”
Sergio Perez has been remarkably consistent with a fourteenth straight points finish in Russia and the young Mexican racer will be looking to make it fifteen this coming weekend at the Circuit de Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix.
“Barcelona is a track that really tests a Formula One car. There are some quick corners that feel very special, such as turns three and nine, where you can appreciate the aero performance of these 2017 cars. It's always a difficult track for overtaking and so there is extra emphasis on qualifying well,” he said. “When you get to Europe, you feel that the season is in full flow.”
“It's race five – a quarter of the way through the season – and the year is flying by really quickly. I'm very proud of the team and what we have achieved so far. To be fourth in the championship as we arrive in Barcelona shows that we've done a really good job in the races so far. Russia was another example of a weekend where we maximised all the opportunities”
“It's hard to know what to expect this weekend. I think all the teams will bring new things for their cars and it's the same for us. We have planned updates, which will hopefully give us a bit more performance.”
To have scored points with both cars in every race gives the team confidence for the rest of the year. They want to hold on to fourth place and their planned development programme will continue in Barcelona where hopefully they can take another step forward with the VJM10.
