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[zurich_allan]

It seems that everyone is so caught up (naturally of course) with the goings on at McLAren, Ferrari, Red Bull and the new teams that perhaps an issue being neglected is the sterling work that Force India have been doing so far this season.

Of course some can say that the indicators of improvement have been there since the latter half of 2009 and Spa in particular, but did many of us really think that they would be fighting it out in many of the top 10 shoot-outs in qualifying, and running well in the points in most races thus far in 2010?

I think their performance is one that deserves real plaudits in this day and age of massive sports companies racking up huge debts (a la Man United, Portsmouth in the football world) big manufacturers in F1 not being able to cut it (Toyota, BMW, Honda) and established giants (i.e. Ferrari and McLaren).

Here we have a small (comparatively) team, that started off with realistic expectations of not setting the world on fire in their first year or two, that have steadily improved race by race, and have been progressing nicely up the ranks both in terms of grid and finishing positions.

Is it any surprise that it's the team that many guises ago was Jordan?

Any thoughts on Force India, whether just this season or from their inception to date and their future?

[EwanM]

It seems that everyone is so caught up (naturally of course) with the goings on at McLAren, Ferrari, Red Bull and the new teams that perhaps an issue being neglected is the sterling work that Force India have been doing so far this season.

Of course some can say that the indicators of improvement have been there since the latter half of 2009 and Spa in particular, but did many of us really think that they would be fighting it out in many of the top 10 shoot-outs in qualifying, and running well in the points in most races thus far in 2010?

I think their performance is one that deserves real plaudits in this day and age of massive sports companies racking up huge debts (a la Man United, Portsmouth in the football world) big manufacturers in F1 not being able to cut it (Toyota, BMW, Honda) and established giants (i.e. Ferrari and McLaren).

Here we have a small (comparatively) team, that started off with realistic expectations of not setting the world on fire in their first year or two, that have steadily improved race by race, and have been progressing nicely up the ranks both in terms of grid and finishing positions.

Is it any surprise that it's the team that many guises ago was Jordan?

Any thoughts on Force India, whether just this season or from their inception to date and their future?

Thank god, something refreshing for once.

Force India have done fantastically for the last two years, but obviously they have had alot of help from Mercedes and McLaren (in terms of engine and gearbox).

To think that there were rumours that Mallya was going to sell up a few months ago.

My question would be over finances. There was talk at the start of the year over taxes, is that still an issue?

How long before Di Resta storms the grid - but which driver will be pushed to the side?

[darwin dali]

McLaren-Mercedes B-Team, so not very surprised about how well they're doing.

[QKS]

I said somthing like that a few days on another topic. You're completley right (zurich_allan )! Thumbs up for Force India

But what I don't know is how much money Mallya is actually spending?! Or to put it another way: compared to the other teams, how much money is his team spending?

Sutil is driving very strong this season (had some problems in China... why? don't know). But he is far better than his team mate Liuzzi. I hope Sutil gets to the podium and point the finger at the competition! Hey, I hope he wins a race!!!!

[EwanM]

The middle battle is excellent. However I have a feeling that Renault will move further away as the season progresses. Force India will then be forced to fend off Williams et. al.

Do you think that they will repeat their Spa feat?

[zurich_allan]

Yeah, I can see what people mean with the Mercedes influence and assistance. An interesting comparison with Renault and Red Bull also. Will Mercedes (as in the F1 team as opposed to the manufacturer) be happy to see Force India so close to them in terms of performance, potentially in the frame to take points away from them on occasion?

I don't think this should take away too much from their efforts however, as much of the development of the 2010 car will have been carried out before the Merc deal really came to fruition? Plus, they seem like a genuinely nice bunch of people!

[EwanM]

Yeah, I can see what people mean with the Mercedes influence and assistance. An interesting comparison with Renault and Red Bull also. Will Mercedes (as in the F1 team as opposed to the manufacturer) be happy to see Force India so close to them in terms of performance, potentially in the frame to take points away from them on occasion?

I don't think this should take away too much from their efforts however, as much of the development of the 2010 car will have been carried out before the Merc deal really came to fruition? Plus, they seem like a genuinely nice bunch of people!

They are and they work so hard with a limited budget and limited facilities.

[zurich_allan]

The middle battle is excellent. However I have a feeling that Renault will move further away as the season progresses. Force India will then be forced to fend off Williams et. al.

Do you think that they will repeat their Spa feat?

I think it's a tough one to call. Last year, whilst people knew they would be quicker at a low downforce circuit, I don't think they realised quite how much quicker. I'm not convinced that they'll be able to pull that one again, especially as the McLaren seems to be ideally suited to those same conditions this year, as does the Red Bull.

I could kind of see what you're saying about Renault pulling away a bit and being a bit of an island between the top teams and the lower end ones, but I suppose the question then is, are Force India's performances going to drop off, or are Williams going to improve? It seems to me that it would have to be one of those...

[EwanM]

The middle battle is excellent. However I have a feeling that Renault will move further away as the season progresses. Force India will then be forced to fend off Williams et. al.

Do you think that they will repeat their Spa feat?

I think it's a tough one to call. Last year, whilst people knew they would be quicker at a low downforce circuit, I don't think they realised quite how much quicker. I'm not convinced that they'll be able to pull that one again, especially as the McLaren seems to be ideally suited to those same conditions this year, as does the Red Bull.

I could kind of see what you're saying about Renault pulling away a bit and being a bit of an island between the top teams and the lower end ones, but I suppose the question then is, are Force India's performances going to drop off, or are Williams going to improve? It seems to me that it would have to be one of those...

Surely Williams will improve? However there are some fundamental problems with this car.

[texasmr2]

Simply put I like the team and the progress of Sutils driving.

[EwanM]

Who deserves to go if Di Resta is being lined up?

Sutil or Liuzzi - both have driven well this season and it wouldbe unfair on both given past results.

[texasmr2]

Who deserves to go if Di Resta is being lined up?

Sutil or Liuzzi - both have driven well this season and it wouldbe unfair on both given past results.

Liuzzi no doubt .

[zurich_allan]

Who deserves to go if Di Resta is being lined up?

Sutil or Liuzzi - both have driven well this season and it wouldbe unfair on both given past results.

I'd hope Liuzzi would be given more time, as I thought he had potential at Red Bull, and still think he does now. He did a solid if unspectacular job when thrust back into the car late last year, and has managed to pick up some points already in 2010. I think he can still improve.

What I'd hope is that Sutil continues to shine, as he seems to have been prone to 'peaks and troughs' very much over the past couple of years, where he can be excellent one race, then drop to the back for another two races before putting in another good performance. He seems more focused and consistently quick this season. If he can keep it up I see no reason for him not to progress to another team (the question then becomes who in place of?), leaving the seat free for Di Resta.

[EwanM]

Does anybody rate Di Resta?

Who deserves to go if Di Resta is being lined up?

Sutil or Liuzzi - both have driven well this season and it wouldbe unfair on both given past results.

I'd hope Liuzzi would be given more time, as I thought he had potential at Red Bull, and still think he does now. He did a solid if unspectacular job when thrust back into the car late last year, and has managed to pick up some points already in 2010. I think he can still improve.

What I'd hope is that Sutil continues to shine, as he seems to have been prone to 'peaks and troughs' very much over the past couple of years, where he can be excellent one race, then drop to the back for another two races before putting i another good performance. He seems more focused and consistently quick this season. If he can keep it up I see no reason for him not to progress to another team (the question then becomes who in place of?), leaving the seat free for Di Resta.

It is something to think about. I dunno how long Trulli is going to stick it at Lotus. Wonder if one of the two current force india drivers may find a berth there in 2011 if Di Resta pushes them out

[texasmr2]

All this insight kinda reminds me of myself 25yr's ago when I made charts tracking all the details of every race .