Mallya - Force is with us

Fisichella's Malaysia result "a sure sign of progress"

Last updated: 2nd April 2008

vijay mallya force india co-owner 14/3/2008

Mallya: progress

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Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya believes the team's form in the opening two races of the season has already proved they are not in Formula One to make up the numbers.

After the team's efforts over the winter to upgrade the car with which they - then monikered Spyker prior to the takeover by Mallya and Michiel Mol - finished last season, the flamboyant Indian businessman feels Giancarlo Fisichella's 12th place in the Malaysian Grand Prix 10 days ago underlined its potential.

From 17th on the grid, veteran Italian Fisichella brought the car home ahead of the likes of Honda's Rubens Barrichello and the Williams duo of Nico Rosberg - who finished third in the Australian Grand Prix - and Kazuki Nakajima.

And, according to Mallya, such progress is evidence that Force India, slowly but surely, might just be emerging as a force to be reckoned with.

"When Force India came into the sport just a few months ago, some observers expected us to stay in the same position and be happy to be on the grid," Mallya said.

"These last two races have resolutely shown we are not just in it for the taking part - we want to race competitively.

"We have done the maths, we have looked at the statistics and have improved by over two seconds from this time last year.

"This is not a sign of a team just pleased to be here.

"In Malaysia I was delighted to see Giancarlo fighting for 12th position.

"Not just 'lucking' into it at the end thanks to retirements, he was actually able to race with others and win this position by merit.

"Formula One has never been so competitive, and to be able to do this is a sure sign of progress on our part."

True potential

Team-mate Adrian Sutil has, however, struggled so far this season, the young German driver retiring from both the Australian and Malaysian races with hydraulics failures.

But Mallya is hopeful Sutil will be able to show his true potential in this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir.

"We have not yet seen how much improvement he has made, however I am sure this will be his chance," he added.