Force India

Force India

FIA Entry: Force India F1 Team
Car 14: Adrian Sutil
Car 15: Paul di Resta
Engine: MercedesV8
Team Principal: Vijay Mallya
Technical Director: Andrew Green
Race Engineer Car 14: Brad Joyce
Race Engineer Car 15:Gianpiero Lambiano

Stats as of end 2010

First Entered 2008
Races Entered 55
Race Wins 0
Pole Positions 1
Fastest Laps 1
Driver World Championships 0
Constructor World Championships 0

Team History

In 1991 Eddie Jordan made the leap from the lower formulae to F1 with the Jordan Grand Prix Team. Jordan Grand Prix raced with varying degrees of success until 2005, taking part in 250 Grand Prix, winning 4.

In 2006 Jordan was sold to Canadian businessman Alex Shnaider and was rebadged as Midland F1 – entered as the first Russian Grand Prix team. Midland had little success and by the end of 2006 the team was sold to Dutch car sports car makers Spyker and the entry changed to Spyker MF1. Spyker were as unsuccessful as Midland and at the end of 2007 the team was sold again, this time to Vijay Mallya, and Force India was born

Force India

For the 2008 season Force India used an updated version of the Spyker car, designated the VJM01, married to Ferrari engines. Adrian Sutil and Ginacarlo Fisichella were the drivers with Vitantonio Luizzi as the tester. The season wasn’t massively successful, Sutil missed out on potentially scoring points at Monaco when Kimi Raikkonen crashed into him, otherwise the highest placing they managed was 10th for Fisichella in Spain.

Mercedes Power

For 2009 Force India moved from Ferrari power to Mercedes engines. With the same drivers as 2008 the early part of the season showed that Force India VJM02 had made steps forward in performance. Sutil ran 6th in China, before aquaplaning off the circuit, and was as high as 2nd in Germany before another coming together with Raikkonen as he exited the pits. The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa proved to be the high point of Force India’s season. Fisichella, to the amazement of many on the grid, put his car on pole and brought the car home 2nd only to leave the team to substitute for Felipe Massa at Ferrari for the remainder of the season. Sutil followed up Fisichella’s points scoring exploits with a 4th in Italy now partnered by test driver Luizzi.

For 2010 Mercedes engines were retained, as was the driver line up the team ended 2009 with. The VJM03 was another step forward for the 2009 model and Force India scored points regularly in the mid-field. Sutil managed the teams highest race finish with a 5th in Malaysia and the team ended the season 7th in the Constructors Championship

2011

Test driver Paul di Resta replaces Luizzi for 2011 in the VJM04 chassis. With continuing support from Mercedes High Performance Engines and McLaren Applied Technologies Force India are looking to head the mid-field in 2011.

 

[RasputinLives]

Come two years time Ocon will be so far in front of Perez it won't matter.

 

[Il_leone]

FB

Perez definitely cost the team 4th and 5th today

The only saving grace is they finished ahead of everyone of their main challengers

 

[RasputinLives]

I think Force India are challenging Red Bull now days. Or would have been if they had got in front of them today.

 

[Il_leone]

There is a good chance at Baku if its a repeat of last year where the Mercedes engines cars simply obliterated everyone

I am surprised no one has suggested Perez fought tamely against Vettel to try and earn himself a Ferrari drive

 

[Il_leone]

Perez insists he's a team player after Ocon controversy

Perez is backed by the COO interesingly

 

[RasputinLives]

No one has suggested it Il_leone because it would be stupid.

 

[cider_and_toast]

One things for sure, Force India need to be given serious credit for their performances this season.

They are making fantastic use of their resources.

 

[RasputinLives]

Think I said it earlier that I laughed at them when they said they were aiming to be third best team. Not laughing now as it looks like they have a shot at it.

Remember they are still saying their car is completely unbalanced due to wind tunnel errors and are planning to fix it.

 

[cider_and_toast]

And its bright PINK which has to be the most unique F1 colour scheme (that doesn't look utterly ridiculous) for sometime.

Love it.

 

[Il_leone]

RasputinLives Vettel seemed to breeze past him but he did defend more aggressively with Ocon.

Interestingly VJ suggests he will issue guidelines moving forward... I would not trust a wanted man who refuses to be extradited

 

[RasputinLives]

RasputinLives Vettel seemed to breeze past him but he did defend more aggressively with Ocon

Are you honestly suggesting Perez fought his way past Kimi, held him up, fought hard all race to hold on to his position, disobeyed team orders with a massive debate on the radio but then right at the end fought "Hmmm I'll just get out of the way for Vettel on the off chance Ferrari will appreciate it and maybe offer me a contract"?

Absolute poppycock of the biggest variety. Vettel got past Perez with no trouble because he had a better car with fresher tyres.

 

[Il_leone]

RasputinLives Raikkonen actually made a mistake putting a wheel on the grass which allowed Perez through

Perez's reason was he could not get close to Ricciardo so wanted another go and did not think Ocon was going to do much better despite being on fresher tyres. So for Vettel to breeze past on fresher tyres, are you suggesting perhaps Ocon should have been more aggressive with Perez ?

 

[Il_leone]

Force India to change F1 team orders policy, Perez denies responsibility after Canadian GP podium loss

This could interesting when they are next racing each other

 

[vintly]

If the management grow a pair there'll be no problem. Tell the drivers what to do, not ask them.

 

[RasputinLives]

Il_leone there is a different in pace between a Ferrari and a Force India. As for Ocon being more aggressive. It was his team mate.

To be honest you are grasping at very wild theories. It has to be up there with Vettels secret boost button and Time Glock fixing the championship. Total nonsense

 

[Il_leone]

RasputinLives Glock fixing the championship was the strangest theory I've heard

 

[teabagyokel]

They've really returned to the 1997-2001 period when Jordan was the biggest challenge to those that had a whole load of money.

 

[Il_leone]

Now VJ is moaning with more money they would be an even more competitive

Also there suggestions that Force India will consider to change their name to attract more sponsors.. just please not Kingfisher.

Seems like having Sahara associated with the team is not beneficial. Just a bit worried that VJ is running his mouth more again

 

[RasputinLives]

The chickens created in Canada came home to roost in Azerbaijan for Force India. Prob Ocon's fault (he clipped the curb like Bottas did) but can you blame him for getting forceful passing his team mate after he tried it the nice way last time out?

I'm pretty sure this won't be the last time these two clash.

 

[Il_leone]

and potentially could cost them 4th place in the constructors