Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley claims his squad can challenge Red Bull on merit and become the fourth quickest team by the end of the European season in Monza.

The Silverstone-based outfit finally introduced its B-spec VJM08 during last weekend’s British Grand Prix and went on securing a strong double points finish with Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez claiming seventh and ninth respectively.

When asked by F1i whether P4 in the Constructors’ race now is the hard target for Force India this year, Fernley replied with a definite “yes”.

“I’m not sure we’re the fourth quickest team with all due respect. I think Red Bull, and in all honesty Toro Rosso, are still slightly better than we are. But I think by the time we get through the European season, we’ll be there or thereabouts.

“I don’t think we’ve got any chance against resource. But if we can get the performance level just a little bit higher then we can close on Red Bull and I think the difference will be our reliability.”

 

Force India currently sits fifth in the championship with 39 points, trailing fourth-placed Red Bull by 24 points.

Click here for F1i's driver ratings from the British Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Herta clings to F1 dream despite disastrous F2 campaign

Colton Herta's Formula 1 ambitions have taken a serious beating in Formula 2, but the…

3 hours ago

Hadjar feels ‘very, very lucky’ to have Verstappen as benchmark

It’s undeniable that Isack Hadjar has one of the most intimidating reference points in Formula…

5 hours ago

Mika Hakkinen bows out in fashion from Formula 1

McLaren's Mika Hakkinen conquered his 20th and final F1 win on this day at the…

6 hours ago

F1 frenemies kick back together in paradise

Ahead of Formula 1’s highly anticipated return to Sepang, a tight-knit crew of grid rivals—including…

7 hours ago

Mercedes tackles Sepang with special livery and major upgrades

Formula 1 is swinging back into Southeast Asia this week, and Mercedes is pulling out…

8 hours ago

Binotto sees Audi F1 seat for Slater ‘sooner or later’

Audi junior Freddie Slater may have only just finished his first Formula 3 campaign, but…

9 hours ago