Exclusive Adrian Sutil Q&A: Force India under no illusions

28 Feb 2011

Force India are well respected players on the F1 grid. One of the main reasons for this is driver Adrian Sutil, who embarks on his fourth season with the team this year. Although Sutil’s 2010 campaign started well, a mid-season blip ultimately dropped him just outside the top ten in the drivers’ standings. The young German is determined to make more of an impression in 2011, but admits much depends on how Force India’s new VJM04 stacks up against its rivals…
Q: After completing three tests, what can you say about the VJM04?
Adrian Sutil: That the car feels good, that we’ve been able to run a lot of mileage and have been able to successfully complete our programme. KERS and the moveable rear wing works very well so I look ahead towards the first races quite optimistically. What ‘optimistically’ means in terms of the 2011 pecking order I cannot say right here right now. That question will be answered in Melbourne or at the latest in Sepang, as Melbourne is a bit of a special track that in the past has always produced unpredictable results.
Q: A year ago you started the 2010 season with high hopes and the first few races supported these hopes, but during the course of the season the team fell behind. What caused this?
AS: We are a small team and because of that it is difficult for us to keep up with the development speed of the ‘big four’ - Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes.
Q: Force India was almost the last team to reveal its driver line-up for 2011. Why? Did you always believe you would be staying with the team?
AS: We reached an agreement in Korea. It was a handshake agreement between (Force India boss) Vijay (Mallya) and my manager Manfred Zimmermann. There were lots of stories and rumours in the media about who would eventually inherit my cockpit when in fact it was clear for a long time that I would drive for Force India in 2011. 
Q: This year a rookie - Paul di Resta - will race alongside you. Does that mean most of the development work will rest on your shoulders? Could that hamper your season?
AS: I would not agree that the development work will rest on my shoulders. Paul is a very experienced driver with four years of DTM under his belt. He is the reigning DTM champion and has had one year as the test driver with Force India, so you can be sure that he will do his share of development work. On the other hand I definitely feel experienced enough after four years with the team to play a lead role.
Q: The new Pirelli tyres are prompting a lot of discussion. Are the tyres developed enough for the long season ahead?
AS: We will have to wait and see how the tyres behave in races and how they will develop over the season. At the end of the day, the situation is the same for all of us so that means there’s equal opportunity for each and every driver on the grid.
Q: What will the races be like if you have to pit after 15 laps?
AS: The one thing that is obviously clear is that the tyres will play a major part in the outcome of this year’s championship. Who understands and uses them in the best possible way will land a place at the front of the standings. The difference between the different tyres is still enormous, and it will have to be seen if two pit stops will do. The fact is that we have no data whatsoever on their behaviour in hot conditions because of the cancellation of the Bahrain test, so it will be very interesting to so what Pirelli has up their sleeves for us when it is really hot.
Q: After fewer and fewer pit stops in 2010, strategy will once again play a major role this season. The chance of gaining places in the pits will increase. Have you been practising pit stops at the tests?
AS: So far we have not. But I am sure we will have it in our programme at the last test next week in Barcelona.
Q: Could the moveable rear wings also prove controversial?
AS: I don’t see that. I believe that these wings will serve the purpose and that there is no more risk involved with it. 
Q: Force India is using the Mercedes KERS system, which is said to be the best around. Can that help overcome any shortcomings in other areas of the car?
AS: With Mercedes we have a first-class partner and my belief is that their engine and KERS are the best on the grid for the time being. In this respect we are well positioned. But the car itself - the aero package - is what really counts. If you don’t have enough downforce even the best and strongest engine will not help get you on the sunny side of results.
Q: The season starts two weeks later than originally planned. Will this help to make the car better as there is a bit more time to focus on any shortcomings?
AS: If it were only us being given two extra weeks then it could probably make a difference. But these two weeks are the same for all, so everybody will continue to develop. But yes, as we have been a bit behind, we are now sure to get our car in good shape for Melbourne.
Q: Even though you are still young, you’ve been in Formula One quite a while now. What do you personally expect this season? A better result than in 2010?
AS: To be honest I was quite satisfied with 2010. I quite often finished in the top ten and was fighting with the Mercedes for P9 in the drivers’ championship. Having said that, it would be a bit delicious to expect better results. If I manage again to fight among the top ten I would call it a good season. Under normal circumstances the first eight places are usually occupied by the four top teams, Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes. Then you have Renault, Williams, Sauber and Toro Rosso that have to be beaten first, so the season ahead can hardly be called a self-seller for us. But believe me I will do anything to make it one.

Source: Official Formula1.com

Some Jeraz Photos

Di Resta: We're on the up

 

BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA survived a mighty scare when the throttle on his Force India VJM04 stuck during today's Formula One test at Barcelona. But the 24-year-old Scot, whose day ended with him stuck in the gravel at Turn 1, knows there's far more to come from his team.

"Yes, we've had a few problems, but I think it is definitely better to get it out of the way at this point of the year, as opposed to coming at Bahrain," stated Di Resta, who at one stage of the day had been third-fastest but ended up ninth as he sat out the final 90-minutes of the day, annoyingly as the track reached its fastest.

"It's been difficult at times, but we're improving. Realistically, we know where we are. Because we've had so limited running on this car we're not looking at timesheets, it's just about gathering the data and sending it back for the guys to analyse.

"Day by day it is getting better and the improvement we made from doing the short blasts we did in the last hour yesterday to this morning was quite big and I'm sure you could make that step easily again.

"Certainly, even at the end of the day, the improvement we made from just before lunch to the beginning of the afternoon session was big again.

"We're on the up and I think that's the important thing. I'm sure Adrian (Sutil), who is sheduled to take over the testing tomorrow, will now take over and you'll see the performance certainly rise from there again."

And the Scot, who completed 80 laps of the 2.9-mile Circuit de Catalunya track before the technical failure on his car, was upbeat about where his team lies in performance comparisons with other outfits

"I think we can reference off other teams and I think we were quite reasonable in our performance today," he continued. "We were having quite a reasonable day until about three o'clock when a throttle sensor failed, but I think certainly there were a number of significant and positive points today.

"It's difficult to predict exactly what the performance differences are. I mean, I did a long run behind the Red Bull in the afternoon, and it was quite comparable. I know where we were and you can only gauge where you think they are. It's all on tyre age; it's something we can all certainly sit down and look at.

"Jenson (Button) also did a run at the same time, so there were three of us on track that you could gauge. It was all pretty nip and tuck, but definitely Red Bull seem in good shape. There are some teams that are showing well, but it's difficult — you can't get too carried away until you get to Bahrain because you just have no idea of your true performance until that point."

And the talented young Scot who, remember, is only attending his third full F1 test as a race driver — admitted Force India still has some work to do with in the set-up area.

"Definitely we need to get into the finer details," he said. "It's not necessarily always going forward, you need to try things that might make you take a step back just to understand a bit more; that's we did today.

"The fine-tuning I'm sure will come at the next test and that's what you do over the grand prix weekend. We need to get the big stuff and the reliability of the car running first before you can do that, and also understanding the tyre a bit more. But we're certainly making significant progress."

Sutil says first KERS test will be key

Adrian Sutil says the final test day at Barcelona tomorrow will be a critical one for Force India as it runs its Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) for the first time ever.

The team launched its latest car a week later than most, and held off using 2011 additions such as KERS and the adjustable rear wing at its maiden test at Jerez. It will now try Mercedes' KERS for the first time at Catalunya tomorrow.

Sutil said that the VJM04 was currently performing well, so it was important that KERS added performance, not complications.

"You always concentrate on performance but there's still a lot to come," he said of testing so far.

"The balance now is okay, but we'll run the KERS and the KERS affects the balance quite a lot, so that's why we really have to wait for that before we can say where we are.

"Tomorrow hopefully we'll get it on and maybe I'll know more about how it really feels after that one."

But he said he was optimistic at present, as he has been impressed with the new Force India so far and the Mercedes KERS was well-regarded when it was last used in Formula 1 in 2009.

Asked how significant to Force India's programme the first run of KERS would be, Sutil replied: "It's very important, of course. But I think we have a good package. Mercedes KERS is well known as the best KERS so I've no concerns that it should make any problems. We'll fit it in and see how it goes."

Today's test ran more smoothly for Force India than some of its pre-season days so far, and Sutil was pleased that he was now getting enough mileage to make good progress with the new car.

"There were a few problems at Jerez but my days were quite good," he said. "For me it's the second day of good driving in the car."

Di Resta hopes for Force India progress

Paul di Resta is hopeful there is more to come from his Force India team, after admitting early testing of the new car has not been easy.

"It's been difficult and I must say the days that we've had some things that definitely haven't run quite as smoothly as possible, but I think it is definitely better to get it out of the way at this point of the year, as opposed to coming at Bahrain," said di Resta at the end of the second day of testing at Barcelona.

"We are improving. Realistically, we know where we kind of are. We're not looking at timesheets as of yet because we've had so limited running on this car that it's just about gathering the data and sending it back for the guys to analyse.

"Day by day it is getting better and the improvement we made from doing the short blasts we did in the last hour yesterday to this morning was quite big and I'm sure you could make that step easily again.

"Certainly, even at the end of the day, the improvement we made from just before lunch to the beginning of the afternoon session was big again.

"We're on the up and I think that's the important thing. I'm sure Adrian [Sutil] will then take over and you will see the performance certainly rise from there again," added the Scot, whose team introduced its new car in the second test of the winter at Jerez.

Di Resta had another difficult day today, with his car's throttle getting stuck and forcing him to go into the gravel to stop it.

He still managed 80 laps on his way to the ninth fastest time.

"We were having quite a reasonable day until about three o'clock when a throttle sensor failed, which unfortunately stopped it early, but I think certainly there was points today I think we can reference off other teams and I think we were quite reasonable," he said.

Like the majority of his rivals, the Scot said it was very hard to get a clear picture of the field's pecking order at the moment.

"It's difficult to predict," he added. "I mean, I did a long run behind the Red Bull in the afternoon and it was quite comparable and I know where we were and you can only gauge where you think they are. It's all on tyre age. We can certainly sit down and look.

"Jenson [Button] also did a run at the same time so there was three of us on track that you could gauge. It was all pretty nip and tuck, but definitely Red Bull seem in good shape. There are some teams that are showing well but it's difficult - you can't get too carried away until you get to Bahrain because you just have no idea of your true performance until that point."

And he admitted Force India still has some work to do with in the set-up area.

"Definitely we need to get into the finer details. It's not necessarily always going forward as well, you need to try things that might take a step back just to understand a bit more. We did that today.

"The fine-tuning I'm sure will come at the next test and that's what you do over the grand prix weekend. We need to get the big stuff and the reliability of the car running first before you can do that, and also understanding the tyre a bit more."

Di Resta confident of improving VJM04

Paul di Resta is confident that there is more to come from the new Force India VJM04 after the Scot was forced to wait for parts to arrive before he could begin testing at Barcelona.

Despite not beginning his programme until 1540, di Resta set the sixth fastest time of the day - having completed 26 laps - 2.2s off Sebastian Vettel's ultimate pace.

But given the time he lost in the morning, the DTM champion said that he expected to improve the car through tomorrow before handing it over to his team-mate Adrian Sutil.

"The guys did pretty well to get the car out on track today and towards the end of the afternoon we did some productive running to get a good baseline set-up for tomorrow when we'll have a much more extensive test programme to carry out," he said. "I definitely feel there is more to come from the car and I'm looking forward to getting back out there to help the team get as much out of this test as possible.

Force India's engineering director Dominic Harlow added: "We didn't run this morning as we were waiting for some parts to arrive at the track until early in the day, and the knock on effect of the turnaround from Jerez meant there was a lot to do to complete the car build.

"The track conditions weren't good anyway, with wet, cold and slippery conditions so we felt we did not miss too much.

"The afternoon's session was much better and we started our testing with some aerodynamic tests and tyre comparison looking at the new soft."

FIA pleased with Indian GP progress

The FIA's Charlie Whiting has completed an inspection of the Indian Grand Prix venue and is reportedly pleased with its progress.

The base layer of the track and run off areas is down with the first layer of tarmac expected to be laid in March. The inaugural race will take place on October 30 and organisers JPSI are expecting work to be completed ahead of schedule.

Managing director of JPSI, Sameer Gaur, said Whiting had felt positive about the circuit's development.

"The progress since Charlie's last visit has been fairly rapid and all of us including Mr. Whiting are very pleased with the way things stand at the moment and we are looking forward to the first Indian GP," he said. "The JPSIL F1 track will be complete ahead of schedule!"

The FIA's final inspection is expected to take place at the end of June, four months ahead of the inaugural race, but Whiting will monitor the circuit's progress closely in the coming months.

DI RESTA: WE'RE NOT GOING FOR TIMES

© Force India

P

aul di Resta brought the debut test of the Force India F1 Team's VJM04 to a 

close at the Circuito de Jerez today. The 24-year-old Scot, who makes his F1

 race debut in Bahrain next month, worked constructively through a programme 

       designed to gather further set-up and tyre data to determine the direction for the 

       second VJM04 test in Barcelona later this week. During the installation laps the team 

       also made preliminary checks on the new drag reduction system, or moveable rear 

       wing, before its full introduction at  the next test.

        On course with the test plan, Di Resta put in a further 400km to bring the car's total mileage so far to more than 1,100km, although the day's running ended earlier than expected when he suffered a front left suspension failure on his planned penultimate run of the day.

       The team will be back in action from 18 - 21 February at the Circuit de Catalunya outside Barcelona. Di Resta will be out on days one and two, with Adrian Sutil taking over on days three and four.

Paul di Resta

Another productive day with a lot more miles on the car. At the moment that's what it's all about - giving ourselves a clear direction and getting as much data as we can on the performance of the new car on different fuel loads. We're not going for times, rather fine-tuning the balance and set-up, plus getting to grips with a few development items we will use at the next test, including the DRS (drag reduction system). Towards the end of the day we found a good path for the next test and have something positive to build on next week. Unfortunately we couldn't do our final run of the day when something broke on the front of the car and I skidded into the gravel. It was a shame and the team will look at it now, but until that point we were improving with each run.

Dominic Harlow, circuit engineering director

Today's objective was increasing the mileage on the VJM04 by carrying out some race run simulations. The weather was slightly blustery and so performance running was difficult, and we also ran through a variety of systems tests as well as using the DRS wing for the first time, which appears to be working well. The session was cut short with a mechanical failure. Fortunately the car finished up in the gravel without too much damage, but obviously we will make sure we understand the problem and implement a fix as soon as possible.

Sorry for Not blogging

I am very sorry for Not blogging for the past 1 week. Anyway i'm back... 

Force India to unveil new car online

Force India has announced that it will unveil its new VJM04 in an online event at 14.00 GMT on Tuesday 8 February.

The team is one of several that has chosen to wait until the second winter test of 2011 to run its latest car, having used last year's VJM03 to gather benchmark data on Pirelli tyres at Valencia this week.

The launch will be broadcast online via the team's website, before the car makes its track debut when testing resumes at Jerez on 10 February.

Force India announced yesterday that it had extended its technical partnership with McLaren and Mercedes through 2012.

It has retained Adrian Sutil for this season and promoted former test driver Paul di Resta to the second race seat, replacing Tonio Liuzzi. Ex-Williams racer Nico Hulkenberg comes in as the new reserve driver.

DC backs Di Resta

FORMULA ONE grand prix winner David Coulthard has called for fellow Scot Paul di Resta to be given room to settle into his 'great opportunity' with Force India, alongside team-mate Adrian Sutil. And the 39-year-old from Twynholm believes Di Resta will be a "great ambassador" for Scotland.

"I'm tremendously excited for Paul. He's very grounded, he's incredibly quick behind the wheel and I think he will be a great ambassador for Scotland," Coulthard, a winner of 13 grands prix and now BBC F1 pundit, said as he opened the Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show at the SECC in Glasgow.

"This year is a big season for Paul. If Paul can get close to Adrian, or match him, in the early races, that would be incredible. If he can be in front of him near the end of the year, that sets him out as a driver to be watched for the future."

"This is a great opportunity for Paul with Force India and he thoroughly deserves his chance. I competed against Paul on the same track last year when he won the German Touring Car Championship (DTM).

"I'm continuing in DTM with Mercedes this year, but Paul — quite rightly — has been promoted to a full F1 race seat in F1. I'm fully aware of his talents and ability. He won the DTM title when I was sort of somewhere down the back learning how to master those cars. They're very different to single seater racing, but they're a lot of fun.

"I'm sure he will deliver"

"This year is a big season for Paul. If Paul can get close to Adrian, or match him, in the early races, that would be incredible. If he can be in front of him near the end of the year, that sets him out as a driver to be watched for the future."

But Coulthard was quick to suggest the youngster should be spared the pressure likely to be heaped on him by the media, and the nation.

"I think we have to be realistic and keep our expectations in check," Coulthard, who used to spend family holidays in caravans and then used them during his racing career at circuits around Europe, continued.

"Paul's 24-years old, similar to the time I started in Formula 1, so he's got a bit of life experience, knows the team well and, fingers crossed the car works. If it does, I'm sure he will deliver.

"Being successful in F1 is not just about having talent, you've got to have a good car and a good team. Force India is pretty much a mid-grid team, but we're all hoping the car will be more competitive.

"He's comfortable in the environment"

"I really hope the car they give him enables him to run towards the front because obviously technology is key in Formula 1 and, if you don't have the right kit underneath you, then you can't deliver.

"Paul is already very familiar with the Force India set up having spent last season as it's test and reserve driver, so he knows his way around. That's invaluable.

"You have to adapt to the different demands of a grand prix car, but the biggest thing for me is that he's known within the team; he knows the mechanics and the engineers, and he's comfortable in that environment.

"He'll understand how to work with these people, because it's not a holiday camp, it's a really tough business and you have to know who to turn when the car's not working properly. There's a real technical aspect to making sure he can get the best out of himself on the track.

"I'm obviously very proud to have another Scot in Formula 1 and anything I can do to help Paul I'm going to do, because if it works out he could have a great career."

TOP THREE IN VALENCIA

Valencia, Spain. Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Paul completed his first full day's testing with Force India in Valencia by finishing in the top three; his best lap of 1min 13.844secs, was just 0.537secs off the day's quickest time set by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. Paul completed 111 laps of the 2.5-mile circuit, again in an updated 2010 car, and was pleased with the comprehensive programme he and the team successfully achieved.

"This was another exceptionally good day of testing for the team," Paul explained. "We gathered lots of information for the guys to work on as we prepare for the debut of the VJM04 2011 Force India car next week.
"We're now understanding a lot more about the performance of the Pirelli tyres and the differences between the compounds, particularly with regards to long and shorter runs and different fuel loads. We also managed to work on some systems development for the VJM04, so it was a highly satisfying and productive day for both me and the team.
"At this stage we're not going for times, just trying to get representative data to work on. I'm feeling good and well integrated into the team and my new role. There's a really positive atmosphere, which will set us up well for next week when the new car testing programme starts."

Testing data


Driver: Paul di Resta
Track: Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, Spain
Best lap time: 1min 13.844secs
Laps completed: 111
Kms completed: 435km
Air temp: High, 18C
Track temp: High, 24C
Weather: Bright and sunny

Force India extends McLaren tech deal

Force India has announced that it has extended its technical partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies until the end of the 2012 season.

The two teams had joined forces at the start of the 2009 season, with Force India using McLaren's gearboxes and hydraulics and Mercedes-Benz engines since then.Force India also confirmed, as reported by AUTOSPORT last year, that Andrew Green will step up to the role of technical director, replacing Mark Smith, who left the team."I am very pleased to formally confirm Andrew will step up to become the team's technical director," said team boss Vijay Mallya.

"He knows the team inside out, both from his previous tenure with the team and through his position this year. I am also delighted to be able to give Andrew and his team the stability and opportunity to take us forward with the extension to the McLaren Applied Technologies contract.

"The partnership with McLaren and Mercedes has matured into one of the most successful relationships on the grid. In 2009 we scored 13 points, one pole position and one podium and in 2010 we secured our highest-ever championship position and 68 points overall.

"I've always said I would like to see a Force India on the podium at the Indian GP and I believe we have the resources, both human and technical, to do it."

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh added: 'I'm delighted that we've been able to extend the programme of co-operation between McLaren Applied Technologies and Force India.

"Force India has continued to develop as a team during the 2010 season, and to improve year on year its competitive position, and we're pleased that McLaren Applied Technologies has played a key part in that performance."

Day 3 photos - Valencia

Adrian Sutil, Force India, Valencia, 2011

Sutil shoots to the top on first day back

It took Adrian Sutil no time at all to get back in the groove during his first day in the Force India cockpit this year, and he quickly set about clocking the fastest time of the three-day test so far.

In last year's car he put together a very solid lap with a 1:13.201, on a morning when the 2011 cars didn't register any laps under 1:14.5. Jenson Button made use of McLaren's 2010 car to set the second fastest lap with a 1:13.553 on his very first run on the new Pirelli tyres.

Without Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari cockpit the atmosphere at the circuit was much more subdued and the paddock itself was much quieter as the media presence dwindled. However, there was still important work to be done for the teams and the circuit rarely fell quiet all morning.

The only time the track was subjected to complete silence was 30 minutes into the session when Felipe Massa's Ferrari caused a red flag. After being pounded around the circuit for two days solid by Alonso, the new F150 finally gave up with a spit of flames from the rear of the car exiting turn three. An oil leak was to blame and it caught Massa unaware, forcing him into a spin heading into turn four. As soon as the car came to a halt the bodywork started to smoulder and a plume of white smoke was visible from the pit lane.

The frustration on Massa's face was clear to see as he had completed just 12 laps compared to Alonso's 200-plus over the first two days. Ferrari is expecting to have the car up and running again by 15:00, but that will only leave Massa with two hours in the cockpit before his team packs up and heads to the next test in Jerez.

Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher set the fastest time in a 2011 car, with a best of 1:14.537 over 35 laps. He edged out Mark Webber in the Red Bull, who did a couple of short runs before lunch with the moveable rear wing clearly in use. Webber looked full of confidence in the new car, challenging the fast first corner with just a couple of downshifts on his first lap and responding to the car as it moved underneath him in the tighter section.

At the bottom of the standings and without a time was Jarno Trulli in the new Lotus. The car has been fitted with a new power steering system over night but it's clear there are still some teething problems as he notched up 23 laps with very regular trips back to the pits.

The only other concern in the paddock is the Pirelli tyres, with several drivers reporting that degradation is still very high. Pirelli will hold a press conference at 15:00 when more information about their progress should be released.