Friday: Force India makes quick progress during its tests

Scoring points may never have been so close for Force India! Certainly, Adrian Sutil in China was very well placed a few laps from the checkered flag, but today in Bahrain, he is in the top 8 from the second practice session. His teammate Giancarlo Fisichella is not far behind in 12th position in the afternoon.

The reason for this good level of competitiveness is that the Indian team has brought an entirely new package to its VJM02. New diffuser, new floor, and new front wing, the list of new elements is long. With dry and stable weather expected until Sunday, there are many reasons to believe in points for Force India in this fourth round of the 2009 season.

Adrian Sutil – 14th and 7th:

« The second session was much better because the track was very dirty in the morning with sand. We also tried the softest tires to help us in terms of stability. The balance was very good for a Friday. We can still adjust the overall setup of the car, and we still need to look at the brakes because I’m not 100% sure. »

« I think that the package with the new updates really helps us because if I look at my position in the afternoon, I think it’s the best for a Friday since the beginning of the season. Although it is difficult to draw conclusions at this stage of the weekend, the car is performing well. »

Giancarlo Fisichella – 16th and 12th:

« Today, I am happy and comfortable in the car: We feel like we have taken a step forward with the new updates. The VJM02 is more consistent and I think we have closed the gap to others. The team has done a fantastic job to bring out this package and I’m looking forward to tomorrow to see where we stand on the grid. »

Dominic Harlow – Chief Race Engineer:

« Today, both sessions were very hot. As expected, the drivers managed the track conditions well and completed their program without any issues. Giancarlo [Fisichella] tested some setup options while Adrian [Sutil] focused on the tires. The car updates seem to be working as expected and we are hopeful for a strong performance in qualifying. »