Spanish Grand Prix: Force India preview

Paul di Resta in Barcelona, Spain.

Force India have started the season as many expected: mid table and predictable lap times. However, they’ve been improving since the beginning of the season and they almost claimed a podium in the last race.

Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil have performed well and they have lifted the team from the mediocrity they’ve been clouded with. The team have given the drivers a good car. The car is able to use the Pirelli tyres well and this comes at a time when the best teams in the sport, apart from Lotus, are struggling with tyre issues. The Force India cars also pack the highest top speed of all the cars in the grid and they’ll be hoping that comes to good use in the long straight in Barcelona.

When asked how he felt after the first four races, Paul di Resta had this to say, “We’ve got to feel very happy with how things are going and I want to congratulate everybody in the team. We took a very sensible approach to the winter and focussed on understanding the key areas that drive performance, which seems to have paid off. It’s important to pick up good points early in the season against our competitors and to be ahead of McLaren after four races is a credit to the team and a nice feeling. Of course we want to be on the podium and it was very close in Bahrain, but I’m sure it will come soon enough.

“The car is performing well, especially in the heat, and we were also strong in the cooler conditions of China – so that’s a good sign. The key is making sure you find the right operating window whatever the conditions because that’s what makes the difference. We need to keep doing what we’re doing, but at the same time we know the return to Europe always sees every team bring more upgrades. Hopefully we can stay fighting with the big teams and keep picking up the points.“

When asked whether he’d have a good race considering the fact that the teams have tested here, he said, “I guess we have more data around Barcelona than anywhere else, but at the same time the temperatures will be much higher at this time of year. So I’d expect that to change things quite a lot and impact on the tyres. Also, it’s one of those tracks where you’re constantly chasing the right aero balance to cope with the long, high-speed corners, especially turn three. But when you come to the end of the lap you need the mechanical grip for the hairpins and chicanes.“