Adrian Sutil says driving his newly-competitive Force India car gives him a "different feeling" than earlier in the season.
Force India driver says being competitive makes all the difference
Adrian Sutil says driving his newly-competitive Force India car gives him a "different feeling" than that experienced earlier in the season.
After setting the pace in two of the three practice sessions during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, the German driver confirmed it during qualifying on Saturday with second place on the grid.
Sutil had beaten the previous best time in the final session, set by world champion - and his former F3 team-mate - Lewis Hamilton with his final lap.
However, Sutil's dreams of following up the feat of former team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella in Belgium were dashed when Hamilton pipped him by 0.195 seconds with his own final attempt.
Even so, the 26-year-old said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience and even felt he had a chance in the race itself.
"It is a great moment, a great deal," Sutil said. "The whole weekend was a big success already. We did good work, and the car is amazing, really quick.
"It's unbelievable, it is so good for the team especially after the Spa success.
"We continued it here and just being competitive, it is such a different feeling in the car right now. You know you have a chance.
"It's a good feeling like the racing driver is back in me. I enjoyed every single moment."
Difficult start
Sutil said that, with KERS-powered cars of Hamilton, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen surrounding him on the grid, he anticipated a difficult start to the race.
However, he also thinks the aerodynamic efficiency of his VJM02 car will stand him in good stead as the race develops.
"It's going to be very difficult start with the KERS cars around me but the race is long, I'll do what I have to to defend my position and have a good strategy," he added.
"We have a great package, this circuit suits us very well as we have an incredible top speed and also a good downforce package so the efficiency of the car is really good."
Meanwhile, making his return to F1 after almost two years without a race seat, team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi qualified a fine seventh.
"Two weeks ago I didn't expect to be on the grid so this is a fantastic result - better than we expected," he said.
"The race will be difficult physically and mentally but I like the fight, the team are fighters and we will give the maximum in tomorrow's race.
"I'm definitely looking forward to racing in front of my home crowd."
