The Sahara Force India Formula One team head to the Italian Grand Prix weekend after getting both cars back in the points last time out at the Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps circuit where Sergio Perez finished the race in 8th place while Nico Hulkenberg finished the race in 10th place. The Silverstone based outfit are currently in 6th place on 103 points. Speaking about this weekend's race team boss Dr Vijay Mallya commented on the last race in Belgium:
'It was promising to return after the summer break with some points, although fewer than we would have probably deserved based on our pace. Both Checo and Nico showed a lot of fighting spirit to make up several positions from their grid slots and we were able to get five points as a reward. We could have possibly been a few more places ahead had we not started so far back.'
Mallya has stated that the team's aim remains unchanged and that is to finish the season in fifth place in the championship ahead of McLaren Mercedes who they have been battling with this season and they will be working extremely hard in the remaining seven Grand Prix to overhaul and stay ahead of McLaren.
“We’re now sixth in the standings and coming away from Spa with five points was a good exercise in damage limitation. It means we are only two points away from fifth place with all to play for in the coming races. With the double points in Abu Dhabi, too, the battle is likely to remain open for us until the final race.”
Mallya believes that the VJM07 should suit the characteristics of the Monza circuit.
'The Italian Grand Prix is always a great event and this circuit is legendary. It is also one that should suit our car, with long straights and an emphasis on power. Both Checo and Nico have had good results here in the past and will hopefully do the same this year.”
Nico Hulkenberg found the last race in Belgium to be interesting and after starting the race from 18th place on the grid had a fantastic Grand Prix as he finished the race in 10th place to pick up one point. The German commented:
'It was a mixed weekend. We had good pace, but we couldn't achieve the maximum because of the mistakes in qualifying. The race was interesting; we made up a lot of positions, but we also lost some time battling our way through the traffic. In the end, we got one point and that's better than nothing.”
Hulkenberg is really looking forward to the race in Monza. Last season, while driving for the Sauber F1 Team the German finished the race in 5th place after starting the race from third on the grid. Speaking about the event he said:
'It’s a fantastic weekend and I really enjoy everything about the event: the town, the people and the track. The atmosphere is just brilliant with the energy of the fans and the history of the place. It’s also a fun track to drive. It looks simple, but hooking up a quick lap is still a challenge and it’s easy to make mistakes.”
Hulkenberg was asked if he feels the VJM07 will suit the Monza circuit to which he replied:
“I expect us to be quite competitive there. It should be better for us than Spa. It’s all about power and top speed and we know the engine will be strong. We also have a new low downforce rear wing that we will use for Monza only. Braking from top speed for the chicanes with a skinny rear wing is always tricky.”
Last season while driving for McLaren Sergio Perez finished the Italian Grand Prix in 12th place having started the race from 8th place so he will be hoping for a stronger performance this weekend and came away from the Belgian Grand Prix last time out with an eighth place finish having started the race from 13th place. The Mexican was happy to start the second half of the season with a points finish having failed to finish the Hungarian Grand Prix:
“We had to score points to keep in touch with the teams ahead of us in the championship so we went quite aggressive in the race – flat out all the way. It was a nice feeling to score my first points at Spa because I love the track. Getting two cars in the points is the target for all the races to come.”
The Monza circuit is one of Perez's favourites as he said:
'Definitely. It’s another favourite of mine. I think everybody enjoys going there because it’s such a beautiful location. I raced there a few times before Formula One and always had good results. I was on the podium two years ago [finishing second] – it was one of my best races in Formula One and a very special memory.”
Perez is hoping that the team will be able to finish on the podium this weekend.
'“We will certainly try. I think it’s going to be a good track for us. It’s important to qualify in the top ten to have a chance of scoring good points. It’s difficult to overtake at Monza and if you are out of position it’s hard to recover.”
© Ben Johnston 2014
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