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‘Back-marker’s tag will be shed soon’

FORMULA ONE / Sutil and Fisichella ooze confidence about the VJM02’s reliability

— Photo: AFP

COOL AND CAUTIOUS: Adrian Sutil, relaxing with some marsupial friends, is modest about Force India’s imminent goal of moving up from the back of the grid in the races this season.

Melbourne: The mid-field target may take time to materialise but Force India driver Adrian Sutil is confident that the VJM02 will shed the back-marker’s tag early this Formula One season.

Set to hit the track for the season opener at the Albert Park here on Sunday, Sutil oozed confidence about the car’s reliability even though he was modest about the outfit’s imminent goal.

“I hope we can beat a few teams already at the start of the season but I don’t want to say too much. It’s a goal but perhaps not for the first race,” the German said.

Sutil didn’t read too much into the winter testing of the teams and said a clearer picture of where the teams stand would emerge only once the championship gets underway.

“It’s difficult to say right now (where we are). The winter tests are always hard to get a real reading out of it as everyone is doing different programmes — you never know who is running light fuel or heavy fuel. We did our programme and I have a feeling where we will be,” he said.

Faster car

And Sutil’s confidence stems from the fact that he would have a faster car at his disposal this year.

“I got a good impression (of the car) at the beginning. Balance wise I think it’s much better than last year. We need more downforce but we’re working to get it as soon as possible. After these eight days of testing, it’s not enough, but we did all our programmes — race simulations, so I’m set-up well.

“The car looks reliable and that’s the most important. I think McLaren is the best partner we could have. It’s a world championship team so no worries there, I’m quite confident we have the best material,” Sutil said.

Senior teammate Giancarlo Fisichella also shared his enthusiasm about the car. “The car is quite good mechanically. It’s quite consistent. We need more downforce, but it will be interesting. We have a good package the Mercedes engine is really strong, even the gearbox is really good, quick and reliable,” said the Italian.

Force India would not use the Kinetic Energy Recovery System in Australia and Fisichella said it would be strange to have half the team using KERS.

New regulations

“This year, we are having a number of new regulations, maybe too many. Here we start the season with 50 per cent of teams in KERS and 50 without, which is strange,” he said. Sutil too felt drivers would have a full plate in the cockpit this season.

“This year it looks more complicated. With KERS, there is one button you press it or you don’t. But then there is changing and adjusting front wing. it’s going to be interesting,” he said.

“It’s going to be more technical. There will be more switches and the driver would have more things to do in the cockpit,” Sutil added. — PTI

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