Formula 1

Force India’s Otmar Szafnauer: “A Bit Of Rain Always Adds Some Drama”

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Sahara Force India F1 Team - German Grand Prix - F1
Credit: Octane Photographic Ltd

Otmar Szafnauer felt it was a “very good afternoon’s work” at the Hockenheimring as Sahara Force India F1 Team secured a double points finish for the third consecutive race.

Sergio Pérez finished seventh with team-mate Esteban Ocon a place behind in eighth and Szafnauer was very happy but admitted the team got lucky during the German Grand Prix.

“To come away from Germany with ten points represents a very good afternoon’s work.

“We rode our luck at times, but the drivers gave excellent feedback on the conditions and we made some brave decisions from the pit wall.”

The race was thrown up into the air when rain arrived midway through and Szafnauer was relieved to see the teams one stop strategy work in the mixed conditions.

“A bit of rain always adds some drama and keeping the car on track on slicks was a real challenge this afternoon.

“To complete the race with only one pit stop for each car was definitely the right strategy and the result is vindication of that.”

The ten points saw Force India move up to fifth ahead of Haas F1 Team in the constructors’ championship but while they couldn’t keep Romain Grosjean behind in the latter stages, Szafnauer gave credit to the team for the result.

“It was very close with Grosjean catching us in the closing laps with a big tyre advantage and a strong Ferrari engine, and in the end we couldn’t hold him off.

“We worked hard for this result today and credit to the entire team for a well-executed race.”

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