Sahara Force India deputy team principal Robert Fernley feels the team can go into the summer break in high spirits after a double points finish at the Hockenheimring on Sunday, which moved them closer to Williams in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
Nico Hülkenberg’s seventh place in Germany coupled with a point for Sergio Perez in tenth meant Force India moved five points closer to Williams, with the gap now thirteen points with just nine races remaining.
Fernley admitted his satisfaction with the outcome of the race, feeling the strategy call for Hülkenberg was spot on, while Perez made a great recovery from a poor start to claim the final point in the closing laps.
“It’s satisfying to move five points closer to fourth place in the championship and end the first half of the season with a double points finish,” said Fernley.
“When you look at how the race unfolded, there wasn’t much more available to us and the team did an excellent strategic job to help Nico come out on top in the battle against Bottas.
“Sergio’s race became a recovery drive following a very poor getaway and, all things considered, the team did a good job to pick up the final point.
“The stage is now set for a very close battle in the second part of the season, but we feel we can grow even stronger in the races to come following the break.”
