There
are 17 Grands Prix on the calendar and they all count for the same
amount of points, but one race stands above all the others in terms
of pure spectacle, glamour and prestige: the Monaco Grand Prix.
Last year's Monaco
Grand Prix was a particularly memorable one for the Force India Formula
One Team. While Giancarlo Fisichella celebrated his 200th race start
in Formula One, Adrian Sutil raced from the back of the grid to fourth
position in the closing stages of the Grand Prix. A canny strategy
and a faultless drive from Adrian so nearly yielded Force India's
first points, until it came to a dramatic conclusion just four laps
from the end when Kimi Raikkonen rear-ended the VJM01 coming out of
the tunnel.
Although a similar
race performance will be difficult to replicate this year, the team
goes to Monaco with hopes of continuing its strong finishing record
and take advantage of any opportunities that come its way.
Team
Q&A
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal
Throughout
the last three races, Force India has sustained a programme of development.
Could you sum up the progress made so far and what you have coming
for Monaco?
I would say that,
for a small team, our rate of development so far has been remarkable.
We introduced the new floor and shadow diffuser in Bahrain, plus some
major upgrades to the front wing, a further step in Spain and now
in Monaco we will have some further changes to the aero package. As
Monaco is such a high downforce circuit we'll run a modified front
and rear wing, although how much we can introduce is obviously limited
by the regulations. I have been very pleased we have been able to
get so many major upgrades through so early in the season; that is
just one advantage to being a smaller team - we can be more dynamic
and adapt to regulations more quickly.
The
new parts certainly made the team closer to the field, but didn't
necessarily give an improvement in results. What are your thoughts
on this?
< read
more.... >
