Giancarlo Fisichella stunned the Formula One world today with a sensational second position in the Belgium Grand Prix.
The Italian was overcome with joy after the chequered flag had dropped, but also admitted to being disappointed with not snatching victory.
Today’s result wasn’t only Force India’s first podium, but also its first ever points finish.
Adrian Sutil – 11th: It was a great weekend for the team, particularly for Giancarlo. He did a great race today, second position, which is a big achievement for everyone. We have clearly made a very good step and I think today anything was possible and we can look forward to the next race. Personally I am a little disappointed as someone crashed into me at the first corner and the race was over at that point. I think it was Alonso, who went straight into my rear and turned me around and destroyed my front wing. In the end it was disappointing as the car had the speed and I tried to get back in the race but it was frustrating. I am still very happy with the car and for the team as second place is still a very good position. I hope I can get a similar result in Monza.
Giancarlo Fisichella – 2nd: It’s been another great day and it was an amazing result today. Before coming to Spa if you had asked all the team if we would have been happy to finish eighth we would have said it was a fantastic result but second is a dream, just great. Actually if I can be honest I am a little disappointed as I felt we could have won the race. I was unlucky with the safety car when Kimi came past me at the restart and overtook me with the KERS. Actually behind him I was quicker but with the KERS I couldn’t get past as it was impossible to be quick on the long straight. But we can’t take it away from the fantastic result, both at the track and in the factory to get this result. After yesterday I was pretty confident to score points, it’s positive for the championship and for the coming races. A big thank you to everyone.
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal: What a result. I am so proud of this race, which will ultimately go down in the history books as India’s first-ever World Championship points. It’s been a fantastic Saturday, fantastic race and to get our first podium and championship points is just unbelievable. We’ve worked so very hard to get this with a solid plan of upgrades coming through on the factory. Giancarlo drove a truly outstanding race. We can all be so proud of the entire effort.
Fisichella’s team-mate, Adrian Sutil, was also fast in the sister Force India. However the German’s progress was handicapped after damaging his front wing during a first corner collision.
