2008 Malaysian Grand Prix Race Report
Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/02):
DNF: Hydraulic Lap 5
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/05):
12th: 1:31:49.648 (+1 lap)
23 March 2008 - The Force India Formula One Team has finished
the Malaysian Grand Prix with Giancarlo Fisichella in 12th
position. The Italian demonstrated the improved race pace
of the VJM01, battling throughout with the midfield pack and
setting a string of lap times just over one second from the
leaders. Unfortunately, after moving from 20th on the grid
to 14th in five laps, Adrian Sutil's car developed a hydraulic
problem on the fifth lap and the German was unable to finish
the race.
Giancarlo had a bad start off the line, which pushed him
back to 20th but by his first stop had graduated to 15th overall
behind Barrichello. A switch to the harder Bridgestone Potenza
tyre option however gave Giancarlo opportunity to attack and
he was soon pushing hard to catch the Brazilian, putting in
lap times similar to the top three. Giancarlo got within one
second before his second stop, but he was ultimately able
to overhaul the Honda driver in the closing stages of the
race when the latter was handed a drivethrough penalty for
speeding in the pit lane.
The team will now return to its UK base to regroup for the
third event of the year, the Bahrain Grand Prix, in just two
weeks' time.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'Very early on in the race I developed a mechanical problem
and had to switch the engine off and pull off the track. I
am very disappointed with this start to the season, especially
after I had to stop so soon into the race in Australia too.'
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21)
'I think we honestly did our best here. At the start I had
a lot of wheelspin and lost a lot of positions, I don't know
why but we have to look into it. On my first stint I was suffering
a lot of understeer with graining on the soft tyres but then
in my stop I adjusted the front flap and went onto the harder
tyres and stayed on them for both stints. I am happy with
the race pace later on though and it is promising for the
rest of the season.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'Some real positives from the weekend, but also some very
bad luck for Adrian. He had had a difficult weekend until
the race but then made a great start and his race pace was
looking really strong, so it's a real shame we had a hydraulic
issue on his car very early on. Giancarlo made a bad start,
but after the first stop he showed a really competitive race
pace. Ultimately it was disappointing not to get two cars
to the finish but overall I think we can look forward to a
much better season than the team has had over the last few
years.'
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and managing director
'Overall we have shown a genuine improvement in pace in Malaysia
from last season. In 2007 this team was at the back of the
grid, this year we were just 0.05secs from getting into Q2.
We have bettered our fastest lap by over two seconds, more
than any other team on the grid, but more importantly we showed
that we are now able to race and are no longer the team bringing
up the rear of the field. Unfortunately Adrian once again
went out in the early stages through no fault of his own,
which sadly denied him the chance to show how he could do
under race conditions, but Giancarlo drove an excellent race,
setting some very promising times and was able to fight for
position. I feel this is highly promising for the rest of
the season.'
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