Force India eyes full B-spec potential by Mexico

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley hopes his squad can fully optimise the B-Spec VJM08 by the returning Mexican Grand Prix.

Having had to delay the launch of its 2015 charger to accompany a switch of windtunnels over the winter, the Silverstone-based outfit then introduced a heavily upgraded car at the British GP. Since then, Force India has been able to move past Lotus in the Constructors’ championship on the back of regular top-10 appearances.

“The B-spec is now delivered,” Fernley told F1i. “I think we need a couple of races to optimise it because obviously we’ve been adding bits almost at every race since Silverstone.

“To be able to work with one package now for a couple races won’t do any harm. I think there’s more coming in, it’s just case of when we can deliver it. Mexico would be ideal if we could.”

With the B-spec about to reach its full potential and Nico Hulkenberg secured for another two years, the only Force India missing piece for 2016 is the confirmation of Sergio Perez alongside the Le Mans 24 Hours winner.

The Mexican is coming off his third consecutive points finish after another mature drive saw him climb from 12th to seventh at the floodlit Marina Bay Circuit.

When asked by F1i’s Chris Medland why the expected announcement is yet to be made official, a smiling Fernley replied:

“We’re underway with everything. We’re quite relaxed.

“We’re just finishing it off. And even if we had it, we might not announce it until Mexico anyway.”

Photographers' picks - Singapore

Singapore Grand Prix - Quotes of the weekend

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