Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM02/03):
FP1: 14th 1:35.021 (18 laps)
FP2: 7th 1:33.763 (30 laps)

Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM02/01):
FP1: 16th 1:35.042 (16 laps)
FP2: 12th 1:34.025 (23 laps)

24 April 2009 - Just five days after the Chinese Grand Prix, the Force India Formula One Team took to the track at the Sakhir International Circuit for the first of the practice sessions ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella used the two 90 minute sessions to evaluate the new aero package introduced for this race, which includes a new floor and modified front wing. The drivers completed a combined total of 87 laps despite the scorchingly hot conditions, with ambient temperatures peaking at 39 C and track at 51 C. The pair steadily improved their relative performance over the day and, in one of the closest-ever Fridays where all cars were covered by 1.4secs, finished the second practice with Adrian sitting comfortably inside the top 10 with the seventh best time, only four tenths from the fastest lap, and Giancarlo classified 12th.

Following a final hour practice session tomorrow morning qualifying will begin at 14:00hrs local time.

Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'The second session was quite a bit better as the track was very dirty and sandy in the morning. We also tried the softer tyre that seemed to help a lot with the stability. It's quite good balance-wise for a Friday, we can still tweak the general set-up and we still have to look at the brakes as I'm not 100% comfortable right now. I think the update package has helped us - if I look at my position in the afternoon, I think it is the best position I have been in ever on a Friday. Although it's difficult to draw conclusions from this, the car feels good so let's see how we go tomorrow.'

 

Adrian Sutil (GER) Force India F1 VJM02. Formula One World Championship,
Rd 4, Bahrain Grand Prix, Practice Day, Bahrain International Circuit,
Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday 24 April 2009. (c) forceindiaf1

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For all those who had missed the telecast of JK Tyre National Racing Championship ’08, we have it on air for you once more

Watch the Round 1, episode 1 on… Programme: World of Motorsport
Channel: DD National.......... Date: 26th April ’09............ Time: 6:30 pm