American GP - Friday - Force India Quotes

Nico Hulkenberg
FP1 - 14th
"When the track conditions are so poor, there is little value in running. We did a few laps but the grip was nowhere and there was no way we could collect any usable data. Tomorrow is likely to be very wet as well so there is a chance we will get to the race with very little information about the tyres and the set-up. If this is the case, it will be all about learning as we go, adapting quickly and making decisions based on the information we have. We have done that before when the circumstances were similar and I'm confident we can be competitive regardless of the amount of preparation."

Sergio Perez
FP1 - 12th
"Since the start of the first session this morning, the conditions have not been ideal, so we have only been able to complete a handful of laps. It's a real shame for all the fans who came to see the action. At this moment, however, my main worry is for my country. Mexico is being hit by the largest hurricane in its history and all my thoughts are with my people. I am praying for everyone to be safe. We are not expecting the weather to improve tomorrow so we are looking at very limited running, but hopefully by Sunday there will be an improvement and we'll be able to produce a great race for the fans. Mixed conditions can be an opportunity for a big result: we just need to keep focused, calm and do what we have to do."

Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal & Managing Director
"It is never ideal to have sessions affected by the weather in such a significant manner. Of course, the safety of everyone involved in our sport has to be considered, be it drivers, marshals or spectators, so it makes perfect sense for the second practice session to be cancelled. With more rain seemingly on the radar for tomorrow, we will need to analyse the data we have managed to gather in the limited running in FP1 and decide the best way forward. We have seen in the last two races that we can be very competitive even with limited running before the race and I'm confident we can do so once again this weekend. It's the same situation for everyone up and down the grid, so we will need to prepare best we can ahead of qualifying and aim to claim our spots in the top ten."

Formula1.com 
 

Sergio Perez Q&A: Sochi podium has inspired Force India

Some daring strategy, some excellent driving, and a deserved dose of good luck saw Sergio Perez and Force India back on the podium at the last round in Russia. Can they carry that momentum on to Austin this weekend - and then on to Perez's home race next weekend? The Mexican driver certainly hopes so, as he explained exclusively to Formula1.com…

Q: Checo, Sochi was the fifth podium of your F1 career. Which one was the sweetest, which the most difficult to achieve and which the most unexpected?
Sergio Perez: Ha, to begin with Sochi was fantastic - after a long drought! But to answer your question, the most unexpected was Monza 2012: imagine being on the podium in Ferrari-land. The most difficult was the podium in Bahrain last year: I had joined Force India after a difficult 2013 McLaren season with no podium at all, and then wow, in my third race the podium in Bahrain! That was quite something. The sweetest? That too was Bahrain 2014 - it revived all my spirits again.
Q: Can you talk us through your Sochi race? What was the key moment that made it happen?
SP: Of course one of the key moments was the safety car - and that we took advantage of that. But my first 20 laps on the first set of tyres had put me in that strong position, to take that advantage when it came. And then, of course, looking after the tyres after my early pitting.
Q: Luck was also an element: to be in that part of the track when the safety car came out and you pitted. With a different track position how would your race have been?
SP: For sure no podium, but probably P5. Definitely not as good as P3 and a podium. 

Q: How hard was it to keep the tyres alive, and how much did you have to defend every lap?
SP: It was a difficult race - not so much from the point of defending my position, but from managing the tyres. I was getting into a stage where the front tyres were worn massively - in fact there was very little rubber left on the rim! (laughs) If I’d had a flat spot - which could have easily happened with the condition my tyres were in - then that would have meant the end for my race. I was very aware of that tricky situation, so my last 15 to 20 laps was more a case of carrying the car around the track.
Q: Had you ever imagined you could do so many laps on one set of tyres? It was quite a risky business…
SP: When we opted for that strategy after I came in during the safety car I thought it wouldn’t be possible, as in the first ten laps after my pit stop we were experiencing very big levels of degradation. But then the pit wall told me that I was doing well - and they were right!
Q: Two laps before the chequered flag all the defending seemed to be in vane as both Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas passed you. Was that a moment of anger or disappointment?
SP: It was just the realization that the tyres were completely gone. In that stage Kimi and Valtteri were pulling two seconds in a couple of corners, so there was no means of resistance. I even thought that it would be difficult to make those two laps until the chequered flag.
Q: No outburst of emotion under the helmet then, seeing a certain podium slipping away?
SP: Sure you think the ‘s’ word, being so close to a podium. I said to myself, ‘Checo, another chance just has gone out of the window’. But two corners later I had calmed down and told myself, ‘Checo, you have driven a great race - no need to lament. Go and fight until the end and pick up whatever points you can!’
Q: But then out of the blue Kimi took Valtteri out. Could you believe your luck?
SP: Imagine, you come to Turn 4 and suddenly see that these two had some contact - and here you go: a race is never finished until it is finished. So I knew that I had to be very cautious to get the car over the finish line. I was so proud of me and my team. Sure in the end the result was a lucky one, but we had worked so hard in the race - acting smart, using the chances that opened up. When I stood on the podium I had the feeling that I deserved it as I was third for most of the race. So in the end it was a just result.
Q: That strategy you were running on - was that something you discussed with the team via team radio after the safety car came out?
SP: It was solely a team decision. I understood that it was a risky decision, but we all stood behind that decision and it paid off.
Q: Has Kimi now become your best buddy?
SP: He sure became one of my favourite characters in the paddock! (laughs)
Q: With Mr Putin on the podium that must have been a very special moment, and the trophy is unique - with the Russian flag in precious stones? Where is the trophy now?
SP: It is in the office in the factory. Maybe one day it will disappear from there. Right now I only have the sweet memory, but I also want the physical evidence! (laughs) I hope I will get a copy. I have all my trophies, so I hope I get this one too.
Q: Last time we spoke you were tenth in the drivers’ standings. Now you are up to ninth. Can it get better?
SP: I think I am still a fair way off the guy ahead. Nineteen points are quite a big hurdle - but then when you look back at Sochi and my 15-point yield, I feel free to say that anything can happen! There are still four races to go. If we keep our momentum going, why not? The car is getting better and better, even if the gap to the big teams is still there. But we are working very hard and the Sochi podium inspires all of us.
Q: We are getting ever closer to your home race, but before then we have Austin - not traditionally a great place for you. Will that change this weekend - to get you in the right mood for Mexico?
SP: I think I am in a good moment in my career, so I see no reason why I should not do well here. Right now I have barely thought about my home race as I am fully concentrated on the job I have to do this weekend. I have to do the business here in Austin! The real excitement of having a home race will arrive on Sunday evening. And believe me, no matter what I am able to do this Sunday, my Mexican fans will be there. Of course I will try to give them a strong weekend here to make it even sweeter to come to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Q: With the tailwind of the Sochi podium, what are your expectations for the weekend?
SP: I think right now we are meandering between P4 and P5. It should be a finish in the points - hopefully good points!

Formula1.com
 

American GP - Preview - Force India Quotes

Sergio Perez
"Austin is a great place to race. It has been my home race for several years, before the return of the Mexican Grand Prix, and the circuit is great fun for both fans and drivers. The city is very cool and there is so much happening during Grand Prix week. When I step into the cockpit and see all the Mexican flags and the fans in the stands it’s an incredible boost for me.
"The track has some special parts, especially the first sector and the uphill turn one. You can take a few different lines through the corner and you can brake really late for it, which makes it a good place to overtake. The whole of the first sector is very fun to drive with a lot of quick corners.”

Nico Hulkenberg
“Of the newer tracks on the calendar I think Austin is probably my favourite. The variation of corners makes it good fun to drive and they’ve designed a very nice facility. The track is smooth and it’s easy to find your rhythm. It's generally a busy weekend on and off the track: Austin is a fun city that really embraces the race and the atmosphere is great.
“The lap is made up of a mixture of corners - high-speed, medium-speed and low-speed. There are also a lot of gradient changes, such as the uphill approach to turn one where it can be tricky to get your brake balance right. Turns three to six are where downforce counts and you need a car that’s responsive to the quick changes of direction. It’s these quick parts of the lap that put high lateral energy through your tyres.
“The DRS is worth quite a lot in Austin and the long straight between turns 11 and 12 is a really good opportunity for overtaking. We should be in good shape and competitive there, which would be the best way to bounce back after my disappointing weekend in Sochi.”

Dr Vijay Mallya, team principal
“The next race in Austin is one of my favourites. They always put on a great event and the fans show lots of enthusiasm for our sport. Luck wasn’t on our side there last year, but there is every reason to believe we can be competitive this year and build on the momentum from Sochi.”

Formula1.com 
 

Force India strategy was 'on edge'

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley says the strategy decision that earned Sergio Perez a Formula 1 podium in the Russian Grand Prix was a very close call.

The Mexican scored the third podium of the team's Force India era as he finished third behind Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel at Sochi.

When Lotus's Romain Grosjean hit the barrier to bring out the safety car on lap 12, fifth-placed Perez was one of only four drivers to dive into the pits to swap his super-softs for the soft tyres.

That left him with 41 laps to complete on the same set of tyres, but he held third with two laps to go and then regained it when Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen collided after overtaking him.

When asked if Perez was comfortably in the window to make the crucial stop without needing a further tyre change, Fernley said: "It was very on edge.

"Nobody in front of us followed suit, so it gave us the advantage.

"The core was to look at it from the point of view that it could be an exceptional result or if it went wrong it would probably be a good result.

"Hopefully we can carry it through to a good result in Austin and Mexico."
Fernley added he was "reasonably" confident the tyres would last, adding: "It was a long safety car so that helped, but it was marginal.

"Pitwall and driver, together they did a great job.

"That was teamwork, they are trying to guide him as best as possible within the limitations and Sergio as always delivered a fantastic result."

Perez's haul of 15 points meant Force India increased its lead over Lotus to 26 points in the battle for fifth in the constructors' championship.

"It has put some clear air between us and we need it because Lotus is a good team," said Fernley.

"It only takes a good weekend for them and we're under pressure again."


Autosport.com 

Perez in 'best moment' of his career

Sergio Perez believes his podium finish for Force India in the Russian Grand Prix proves he is in the best form of his Formula 1 career.

The Mexican made an early pitstop under the safety car for Romain Grosjean's heavy crash, then rose up the order as others stopped and he tried to nurse his soft tyres through three quarters of the Sochi F1 race.
Although Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen, and Valtteri Bottas all overtook him, Perez moved back up to third when the two Finns collided on the final lap.

"If you look at my performance, you can see I'm going through the best moment in my career," said Perez.

"I was confident going into the race. I was not expecting a podium at all, but the race started quite well.
"When we had the second safety car, we were one of the few cars to box.

"At the restart I was stuck behind Felipe Nasr and [Felipe] Massa, so I decided together with my team to save my tyres and it worked really well.

"We have a lot of momentum with us and I hope we can maintain it through to the end of the year."

Though his strategy ultimately paid off, Perez admitted he was in no shape to fight with the faster cars that had pitted later as they attacked him.

"It was difficult to hold them back, Valtteri and Raikkonen," he said.

"At this stage, where my tyres were, I could not brake late because I was risking flatspotting them, so there was a certain level of risk I was able to take.

"I said 'OK, if it's not a podium, let's get the points'. Then they had contact and we came back, which is great."

FIRST-LAP ERROR SIDELINES HULKENBERG
Force India had started with both cars in the top 10 after Nico Hulkenberg and Perez qualified sixth and seventh, but the German spun on the first lap while attacking the Ferraris into Turn 2.

He was then collected by Max Verstappen and Marcus Ericsson, ending his race and the Sauber's immediately.

"Braking for the second corner, I locked the rear wheels which ultimately then made me spin into Turn 2," Hulkenberg explained.

"Standing in the middle of the track on lap one with the whole field behind you is not ideal.

"It was difficult for Ericsson to avoid me and we ran into each other and were stuck."

Ericsson described the collision was "very frustrating".

"One of those things when you're in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

"My start was really good, I was making up places down to Turn 2, focused on getting a good exit and then Nico was just there in the way."

Autosport.com 
 

Russian GP - Race - Force India Drivers quotes

Sergio Perez, 3rd
“It feels great to be back on the podium and to be able to celebrate with my team. I have been enjoying my time with the team so much and this is a great reward for all the work we have put in together. The call to pit under the safety car turned out to be very good because it gave us track position ahead of all the battles. With one lap to go, when Valtteri (Bottas) and Kimi (Raikkonen) passed me, it felt like this result had been taken from us: I was obviously disappointed but I also knew I had given all I could during the race. There was no more I could do because I had been on the same tyres for more than 40 laps. When I finally managed to get back into third it was just an amazing feeling. I am happy I was able to share this second podium with my team. It's a very special result and one that fills me with expectation ahead of the races in Austin and especially Mexico City.”

Nico Hulkenberg, DNF
“I didn't have the best of starts, but then I was able to pick the ideal line on the approach to turn two. Unfortunately, I locked the rears going into turn two and, when that happens, you just end up in a spin. I hoped the whole field would get past without hitting me but unfortunately Ericsson got stuck with me and I couldn't move away. The first lap is always a unique situation: I didn't brake any later, but with cold tyres it's really tricky and once the tyres locked there was nothing I could do to save it. It's always a pity to go out at the start and it's really frustrating because our pace seemed really good this weekend. I just want to move on and start thinking about the next race. At the same time I have to say well done to Checo because the podium is a great result for the team.”

Robert Fernley, Deputy Team Principal
“We have to compliment the team on a great performance and a perfect strategy. Pitting Sergio under the safety car was an aggressive call, but it paid off. We knew we would be under pressure towards the end, but having track position was crucial and the events on the final lap vindicated our decision. Checo did a great job defending against Ricciardo first and Bottas later until the very final stages and then we had some good fortune on the final lap. The only blot on our copybook today was Nico's accident at the start. It was unfortunate but he will bounce back in Austin. Our recent run of form is testament to the great job we have done over the last few months and it’s incredibly satisfying to deliver on the potential we have shown with a podium. We're on target to consolidate our fifth position in the championship and that has to be our objective for the end of the season before we push hard to move forward next year.”

Formula1.com 
 

Rusian GP - Qualifying - Force India Quotes

Hulkenberg
 
“I’m very satisfied with sixth place today and our qualifying performance is a great team result. Even though we’ve had limited running here in practice, I’ve had a good feeling with the car – there is a nice balance and it’s giving me confidence. The result today is probably the maximum we could achieve when you look at the cars ahead of us and it means we’re starting in a great position for tomorrow. The race is going to be interesting because there are still some unknowns about how the tyres will behave over long runs and the strategy calls won’t be easy. I’m looking forward to the race and converting this grid position into some good points.”


Perez

“It's always tricky to get the car where you want it to be when you don't do much running in practice, but it's a good result for the team and I believe we got the most we could from the session. This is not an easy track to put a good lap together and getting the tyres to the right temperature is a challenge, so I think we can be pleased with this result. I set my best lap on used tyres, which shows that the supersoft tyres take a long time to reach their best. There are still a few question marks about the performance of the tyres during long runs, which will make it very interesting tomorrow, but I don't expect degradation to be very high. We have a very good chance to be competitive in the race; it will be a tough one but I’m confident we can come away from it with some big points.”

Robert Fernley, Deputy Team Principal
“It was hard to separate our two drivers this afternoon with just four hundredths of a second between Nico and Sergio at the end of Q3. We knew coming into this weekend that we had the potential to get both cars inside the top ten and our performance today is another demonstration of just how competitive the VJM08 has become as the season has progressed. Getting the tyres in their correct operating window was a challenge today and considering the lack of mileage leading up to qualifying the team and drivers did a great job to optimise things as much as possible. What is important now is that we convert these promising starting positions into good points to strengthen our fifth place in the championship.”

Forceindiaf1.com 

Rusian Gp - Friday Practice - Force India Quotes

Nico Hulkenberg
FP1 - 1st, FP2 - no time
"It has not been the most adventurous day in the car. It's always frustrating when you have a big work plan and you can't go out, but it's the same set of conditions for everyone. Like in Suzuka two weeks ago, we finish Friday without having done much running, but that generally makes it more interesting and unpredictable for the rest of the weekend. The next two days are likely to be dry, so tomorrow morning's final practice will be crucial: we will need to learn and adapt quickly ahead of qualifying. We will need to squeeze a long run in during FP3 and do the necessary car and tyre set-up exploration. It will be a busy session, but at the same time it could generate an opportunity for us. It's going to be a big challenge for everyone."

Sergio Perez
FP1 - 4th, FP2 - no time
"The work we have done today is limited. The track conditions this morning were very poor so we ran a reduced programme. It wasn't easy to evaluate the set-up changes so we could not learn very much. Then, the rain arrived this afternoon and we only did a few laps. It means final practice tomorrow morning is going to be the most important practice session of all – just as it was in Japan. I still feel optimistic for the weekend and I think we have the potential to be competitive here."

Otmar Szafnauer, Chief Operating Officer
"The spillage of diesel on the track this morning and the wet afternoon session leave all the teams with limited knowledge ahead of what is expected to be a dry weekend. Despite the lack of mileage, both Nico and Sergio were quite happy with the baseline set-up of their cars, even though track conditions were less than ideal. The main focus now is to make sure we maximise our learning during final practice with a combination of short and longer runs, especially on the supersoft tyres, which we didn't manage to use today. On days like today we also have to make good use of our simulation tools because it's a circuit for which we have minimal information with only one previous event here."

Formula1.com 
 

Force India among 'quickest' in races

Bob Fernley says the fact his Force India Formula 1 team was among the quickest in the Japanese Grand Prix's final stages proves its B-spec car is a step forward.

Force India introduced a heavily-revised car at July's British GP and has since added parts at each of the subsequent races as it strives to optimise the package.

Nico Hulkenberg finished sixth at Suzuka, beating both Lotuses to ensure Force India stayed ahead of its rival in fifth in the constructors' championship.

"Like all cars, when you're constantly updating them, it's not a bad thing to run a stable car for a few races so that you can then optimise it," deputy team boss Fernley told Autosport.

"What I was encouraged about was our race pace. The last 10 laps of the race, we were two of the quickest cars on the track, I think we were only just behind Lewis [Hamilton].

"It is encouraging for Suzuka, which is normally a tough track for us historically but how it translates at other races is another thing.

"We had it under control all the way through. The biggest concern was starting behind both Lotuses - we had to get past both of them - and we did with one car."

SUZUKA PACE COMPARISON (Average over final 10 laps)
1. Lewis Hamilton 1m38.520s
2. Pastor Maldonado 1m38.727s
3. Nico Hulkenberg 1m38.750s
4. Sebastian Vettel 1m39.076s
5. Romain Grosjean 1m39.084s
6. Kimi Raikkonen 1m39.085s
7. Nico Rosberg 1m39.111s
8. Valtteri Bottas 1m39.118s





Analysis of the last 10 laps by AUTOSPORT appears to support Fernley's claim that Force India had one of the quickest cars in the closing stages - but there are some caveats.

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene said after the race that the Scuderia turned Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen's engines down in the final stint.

Mercedes is likely to have run Nico Rosberg's power unit in a reduced mode given that he was in a safe second and needs to do five more races with the same engine if he is to avoid a penalty.

But as Hulkenberg crossed the line in clear air just over 20 seconds behind Williams's Valtteri Bottas and 16s clear of his nearest challenge Romain Grosjean, he too could have had his engine turned down.

The Mercedes, Ferraris and Bottas will also have caught traffic in the closing stages sooner than Hulkenberg and the Lotuses - but the data nonetheless goes some way to showing the step Force India has made.

Meanwhile, Fernley said the Silverstone-based team is still planning on introducing an upgrade for the upcoming Mexican GP, especially as it will prove useful for next year.

"We're working on it," said Fernley. "But there is no point putting something on unless it delivers something we want.

"Next year's car is an evolution of this year's car, so ideally we want to try and get the next upgrade on to do the validation before end of year so we have winter to work on next bit.

"Hopefully that can be Mexico - whether or not it is, we'll see."

Autosport.com

Hulkenberg: F1 practice should be cut

Nico Hulkenberg says there is too much time set aside for practice during a Formula 1 grand prix weekend and believes it should be cut down.

Currently, there are two 90-minute practice sessions on Friday followed by a one-hour session on Saturday ahead of qualifying.

Force India driver Hulkenberg referenced the format in GP2, where there is just 45 minutes of practice, as something F1 should consider.

"I am sometimes of the opinion that we have too much practice in Formula 1," said Hulkenberg.

"Two 90-minute sessions on Friday and on Saturday another hour - it is a lot of practice.

"I think I would personally find it more interesting if we had a lot less like in GP2.

"Maybe not quite as little but where you only had half an hour and you get thrown into the water.

"There would be a lot more emphasis and focus on the driver.

"Sometimes if you struggle, you have so much practice to get around it."
However, Hulkenberg's team-mate Sergio Perez thinks the current format works well.

"I don't think we have too much practice," he said.

"You only have one practice to try the long run stuff - P2 - and then you have P3 to really try the qualifying.

"P1 is useless because the track is very dirty and green and the track improves a lot.

"You have one go at both things so I don't think we have too much."

Autosport.com 
 

Russian GP - Preview - Force India Quotes

Sergio Perez
"I scored a point in Sochi last year and I'm looking forward to racing there again. They did a really nice job with the track and there are some interesting corners, especially the long left-hand turn three - in qualifying last year we were taking it flat. In some ways the Sochi track reminds me of Singapore and Abu Dhabi. That's because there are lots of 90 degree corners and acceleration zones, which put high energy through the rear tyres. There are some quick parts of the lap too. I remember last year that turn 12 was quite difficult because you are pulling high g-forces and braking for turn 13 at the same time.
"We saw last year that overtaking wasn't easy and it was a one-stop race for most cars. This year the tyres are a step softer so perhaps that will mix up the strategy options a bit more."

Nico Hulkenberg
"The result in Suzuka was just what I needed after a few unlucky weekends since the summer break. We had good pace, we did our homework and we achieved all we could from the race. It was very satisfying to see how competitive we were and that's given me a confidence boost for the races to come.
"I had my first experience of Russia last year and enjoyed it. The unusual venue inside the Olympic Park is pretty cool and the track itself has a nice flow. The lap is quite long, with many similar corners, and that adds to the difficulty of putting together a perfect lap. The final sector is quite technical and is a big challenge for the drivers."

Vijay Mallya, team principal
"I'm feeling optimistic as we approach the final couple of months of the season. In Singapore and Japan we continued to show competitive pace and, despite missing the chance to score with both cars, we remain in a solid fifth place in the championship.
"Russia will give us another chance to unleash more potential from the B-spec car. Even at this late stage of the season we continue to bring new parts to the car thanks to all the hard work back at the factory. "There's every reason to believe we can be competitive in Sochi and we expect to be up there fighting for good points."

Formula1.com 
 

Japanese GP - Race - Force India Quotes

Nico Hulkenberg, 6th
"A great result today and realistically sixth was the maximum we could achieve when you remember that I started from P13. I made a really good start and jumped a couple of cars away from the line, and then stayed on the inside going into turn one, which turned out to be a good decision. By turn two I was up in eighth, close up behind the Lotuses and actually they were holding me up during the first stint. The team pitted me early to undercut them and we then out-raced them with our stronger pace. It was a lonely race for me, but effective and the result is very welcome. The team did a great job today and I think we deserved these eight points.".

Sergio Perez, 12th
"Twelfth place is a very disappointing outcome for a weekend that had started really well. Unfortunately, my race was an uphill battle from the first corner: I saw Massa going slowly in the centre of the track and had to avoid him, and that's when I got the hit [from Sainz]. We tried to recover and I did all I could to get back into the points, but even our best was not enough. It's a shame as our pace was really good, but with no safety car or any other incidents, the points were too far away. It was still a good result for the team with Nico scoring points, something that will help us with our championship battle."

Robert Fernley, Deputy Team Principal
"We leave Suzuka with the confidence of having a very strong car but also the feeling of disappointment for not getting both cars in the points. Nico drove a tactically brilliant race: he made another great start to regain the ground he had lost through his grid penalty and then had a fairly lonely race. He executed our strategy perfectly, leapfrogging the two Lotuses during the first pit stop window, and from then on he worked hard to continuously increase his gap. Sixth was the maximum he could have got today and it's just the result Nico needed after a difficult run of races. Unfortunately, Sergio could do nothing to escape the incident at turn one: he moved to the right to avoid Massa, who was driving slowly, and he was hit by Sainz. Sergio avoided hitting the wall, but his race was heavily compromised by the puncture. He performed a solid comeback and showed very good pace, but the points were just out of reach. Even though we conceded two points in the battle for fifth place, we take encouragement from having such a well-executed race with Nico and the pace of the car."

Formula1.com