Sahara Force India Team Principal Vijay Mallya feels optimistic about the final six races of the season but rues Nico Hulkenberg’s crash on the opening lap of the Singapore Grand Prix.
“We are certainly at the ‘business’ end of the season. The morale is high; the drivers are happy and the car is working well. So we feel optimistic, but after nine years as a Team Principal I’m well aware that we cannot take anything for granted”.
The last six races will be a challenge for the Force India Team with a crammed schedule of four races in five weekends, this could bring some twists and turns for the British based team.
“Formula One always throws up surprises and I imagine there will be more twists and turns to come. So I’ve told the team to keep doing the same job we have done all year and to enjoy the challenge ahead of us. Being back in fourth place is important, but it’s being there at the end of the season that counts.”
Mallya described Singapore as an unlucky race but was pleased with Sergio Perez’s recovery into the points after starting way down in 17th place.
“Once Nico was out, it was all down to Checo who made his way from P17 to eighth at the flag. We had to make some quick decisions on the pit wall, but Checo and the team executed the ambitious strategy to perfection. It was a great all-round team performance.”
Hulkenberg collided with Carlos Sainz at the start of the race eliminating him immediately out of the race.
“It’s never nice to see one of your cars eliminated on lap one. It becomes even more disappointing when you realise it robbed Nico of a golden opportunity to score some big points. That’s racing – sometimes you have to take the bad luck on the chin.”
