Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsForce India

Force India upbeat in America

Sahara Force India team owner Vijay Mallya heads to the US Grand Prix with a positive outlook on the back of Sergio Perez's Sochi podium.

The orange and green squad has seen its performance level ramp up a notch since its B-spec car was introduced at Silverstone in July.

“Austin is one of my favourites and we travel there full of energy and optimism," Mallya said.

" They always put on a great event and the fans show lots of enthusiasm for our sport. Luck wasn’t on our side there last year, but there is every reason to believe we can be competitive this year and build on the momentum from Sochi.”

Mallya reflected once again on the great result achieved by Perez in Russia;

"The car was strong, our strategy was good, and Checo didn’t put a wheel wrong. You could see from our post-race celebrations just how much the result meant to everyone in the team and it’s a welcome reward for everybody’s hard work this year. It’s very satisfying to get some more silverware for our trophy cabinet at Silverstone."

Force India currently stands 5th place in the Constructor's championship and will keep its guard up to sustain that position between Austin and the end of the season with four races to go.

“Over the winter I said that the target was to achieve podiums in 2015. That may have seemed like an over-optimistic objective, but ever since the introduction of the B-spec car I knew that we had the potential to do something special. We may have had a little good fortune in Sochi, but I believe you make your own luck and we worked hard to seize the opportunity and bring the result home."

Consistency is always a good asset to nurture in any team, and the fact that both Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg have been confirmed for next season will only reinforce the team's coherence and harmony.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.