Force India

Force India has been F1's pound-for-pound champion for a number of years now, but faces a challenge to lead the midfield once again this year.

Lewis Larkam

21 Mar 2018

Sahara Force India F1 Team

GP Starts: 191
Wins: 0
Pole Positions: 1
Fastest Laps: 5
Drivers’ Championships: 0
Constructors’ Championships: 0

Drivers

11. Sergio Perez MEX
31. Esteban Ocon FRA

2017 in review: Another season, another success story for F1’s popular underdogs. Backed by Mercedes power once more, and pedalled by the reliable Sergio Perez and young charger Esteban Ocon, Force India successfully defended its career-best fourth place in the constructors’ standings. Points were scored with at least one of its cars in every race barring Monaco, with the only sour note coming when cracks between Perez and Ocon began to surface after a number of on-track collisions, leading to team orders being implemented.

What’s changed for 2018? Expectations. Having enjoyed success as midfield leaders, Force India now expects to be regularly claiming fourth place, with aims of one day challenging F1’s big three teams. But securing fourth place will prove harder than ever before in 2018, with pre-season testing suggesting the closest midfield fight in recent history, with the likes of Renault, Haas and Toro Rosso all showing impressive signs, while McLaren should be more competitive with Renault engines. The team is also set to receive a new, yet-to-be-confirmed name.

Key men - Robert Fernley/Otmar Szafnauer. The men tasked with overseeing the smooth running of the team, and ultimately its driver relations, will be at the forefront of Force India’s 2018 campaign. Balancing Perez’s at times fiery character against Ocon’s young enthusiasm will be key to optimising results and avoiding more tension within the team. If both drivers perform well and avoid conflict, Force India should be right in the mix.

Constructors’ Championship prediction - 6th