(Sahara Force India Formula One Team)
The Sahara Force India Formula One Team head to the Singapore night race this weekend with the aim getting both cars back into the points having only managed to get Sergio Perez home in the points when the Mexican finished the race in 7th place having started the Italian Grand Prix in 10th place while Nico Hulkenberg finished the race in 12th place having started the race from 13th place.
The team will also be hoping that they can overtake the McLaren Mercedes F1 Team as the Woking based outfit are just one point ahead of the Silverstone based outfit in fifth place.
Dr Vijay Mallya, team principal and managing director of the Sahara Force India Formula One Team was delighted with how Sergio Perez drove at the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago. Mallya felt that Nico Hulkenberg would have had a difficult race as the German had started the race from 13th place on the grid. Mallya commented:
'We saw some outstanding racing in Monza and I really enjoyed myself. I was more a fan than a Team Principal on the pit wall because I’m basically a racer.
I loved that battle between Checo and Jenson; it was great action and I think they both played it fair. As for Nico, it was always going to be difficult starting further back, especially considering that everybody was on a one-stop strategy.
There was also some damage to the floor of his car, which impacted on the aero performance, so I guess it was not his day.'
Sahara Force India have finished the last four Grand Prix in Singapore in the points so will be hoping for a similar result this weekend. Mallya stated:
'I'm cautiously optimistic. This year we’ve delivered a car that has worked on all tracks so we don’t have any concerns about Singapore.
The warm temperatures and softer tyre compounds should also work in our favour. We’ve been working hard to bring some performance to the car as well, which should help us for the rest of the season.'
The team have equaled their best ever points points tally from the 2012 season as they racked up 109 points. Mallya is extremely proud of the Silverstone based outfit and stated:
'We are not giving up. We are enjoying the fight and the close competition. Fifth place is just one point away so there is all to play for. For a team like ours to be where we are, fighting with teams that have won races and championships, shows how far we have come. I'm very proud.'
Speaking ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix Nico Hulkenberg confirmed that following the Italian Grand Prix the team found the floor of his VJM07 had been damaged and this was the cause of his balance issues during the race. The German was also asked how he is feeling this season saying:
'It feels like the season has gone by very quickly. When you start the fly-away races you know the end of the season is getting close.
The last race in Italy was disappointing for me. After the race the team found some damage to the floor, which is why we had the balance problems. It made the car difficult to drive. I’m confident things will be better in Singapore and I will be fighting hard to get a good result.'
Hulkenberg finds the race in Singapore to be tough and physically demanding commenting:
'It’s definitely a tough race. It’s hot and humid, and the race usually runs close to two hours, so physically it’s probably the most difficult race of the year.
It’s mentally tough, too, because street circuits are more unforgiving. The walls are close and you have to get close to them if you want to be quick. The other challenge is to get your sleep pattern sorted at the start of the week.'
Hulkenberg was asked if the event in Singapore is a race that he enjoys to which he replied:
'As a race it’s an amazing event. The atmosphere is always very special and it looks spectacular on television.
The first sector is my favourite part of the lap. It’s quick with a good overtaking opportunity going into turn seven. It’s usually where a lot of the action takes place in the race.
It’s also a very long lap with some tricky bumps and kerbs, but mostly you need a car that is good in the low and medium speed corners.'
Following a difficult season with McLaren Mercedes last season, Sergio Perez has done a fantastic job for the Sahara Force India Formula One Team and gave them their first podium finish since the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix when he scored a third place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this season. Perez was happy with how the Italian Grand Prix went saying:
'The result in Monza was an important boost for everyone in the team. It shows that we will continue to fight hard for every point until the end of the season.
The battle with Jenson was very clean. Neither of us wanted to give up and it got very close at times, but I knew it was crucial to stay ahead.'
The Mexican feels that the team will be competitive in Singapore saying:
'I think we can be quick. There are a lot of slow corners and that usually works well for our car. I enjoy the track and I’ve always scored points in Singapore so I will try to keep up my record.'
Finally, Perez was ashed if he enjoys racing under the lights to which he replied:
'I’ve always liked street circuits so it’s up there as one of my favourites. It’s a very demanding race and usually quite unpredictable. You have to use the kerbs and attack the corners, which suits my driving style.'
© Ben Johnston 2014
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