Force India confident Abu Dhabi should suit car
After scoring points on eleven occasions this season, Force India heads to Abu Dhabi looking to strengthen its position in what is proving to be a titanic battle for the honour of sixth place in the F1 constructors' championship.
The Silverstone-based team has its work cut out against the resurgent Toro Rosso and ever-present Sauber, but Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta have reason to feel confident this weekend on a track layout similar to Singapore.
Sutil, after the pandemonium of India, looks to improve, not only from his race two weekends ago, but also from last year's performance at the Yas Marina Circuit. It is a job he thinks could be made easier due to the characteristics of the circuit suiting his car.
"It was a difficult race for us last year, but I think this year it should be much better. There are long straights and hairpins, and it's a track where low-speed corner performance counts. That should suit our car so I think we'll be okay," said the German.
By contrast, team-mate di Resta didn't enjoy the same success in India, but remains optimistic for his first 'proper' Abu Dhabi adventure. The Scot's young driver and Pirelli running here last year, like most other rookies, should stand him in good stead this weekend.
"I did half a day at the young driver test and then a full day for the Pirelli tyre test last year," he acknowledged, "I've learned the layout and have a feel for the place [but], before we get there I'll have another half day in the simulator to get back up to speed.
"There are definitely some similarities with Singapore so that's a reason to be optimistic because the lack of high-speed corners seems to suit our package. As ever, we have to see how the teams around us perform."
di Resta, naturally aware of the fight for sixth in the constructors' championship, mirrors the perception and importance of the situation.
"The big picture is our position in the constructors' championship," he said, "We said all along that the fight for sixth place would go down to the wire and we need to continue delivering in the next two races."
by Simon Evans
