Adrian Sutil is determined to break his points duck at the Malaysian Grand Prix after witnessing the potential of Force India.
German plans to end points drought
Adrian Sutil is determined to break his points duck at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang this weekend after witnessing the potential of Force India.
Sutil qualified 10th on the grid in the first two Formula One races of the season in Bahrain and Australia, but could only manage 12th place in Sakhir before retiring with an engine problem after just nine laps in Melbourne.
Team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi, meanwhile, has failed to make the top-10 in qualifying, but has notched up eight points by finishing ninth in Bahrain and seventh Down Under.
Chance
Reserve driver Paul di Resta will be given the chance to prove himself at Force India in the first practice at a number of races this year, which turns up the heat on Sutil and Liuzzi.
"I really want to get some points on board in this race," said Sutil. "I've had two races where I should have scored, so I want to finish the job now."
Sutil believes the outfit have made such an impact that they could soon be challenging teams at the top end of the pitlane such as Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.
But the German admits he was disappointed by his early finish in Melbourne, adding: "It was a bit frustrating as I think it could have been a good race.
"We were in a good position, keeping pace with the leaders, and normally in these changeable conditions the car and the team perform well.
"It's showing we're pretty competitive across different tracks and not that far behind the big four, so at this point it's very encouraging."
A wet race is forecast for Sunday, but drivers are hoping for better conditions than in last year's event, where tropical storms forced the race to be halted after 31 of the 56 laps and half points were awarded for only the fifth time in F1 history.
Drivers will also face 30 degree heat and 70 per cent humidity in Sepang, with the race promising to be a challenging test for all participants.
Tough
"It's very tough physically," added Sutil. "You can lose up to four kilos (in body weight) over the race so fitness and concentration is absolutely key.
"But I feel really good, very relaxed, and confident in the team and the car now, so I can't wait to get back out there. The weather, though, as we saw last year, always throws up some interesting challenges.
"This year we don't have to pray for rain as we have done in the past. We can deal with the conditions whatever they are."
