Force India Formula One driver Paul Di Resta of Britain poses during the launch of the VJM06 car at the Silverstone Race circuit, central England on February 1, 2013. (Reuters)
Force India drivers Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil are looking to bounce back at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix this weekend after two non-points finishes in the previous races.
McLaren, on 57 points, closed in on the fifth placed Force India (59 points) in the Constructors’ standings as the team failed to earn a points finish in Germany and Hungary.
“It is important we regain the speed we showed earlier in the year. We are going towards some tracks that should suit our car better and it’s important that we get back to scoring points at every race.
“I am ready to do my part by taking the opportunities when they appear and helping the team move forward,” said German driver Sutil.
Sutil’s teammate di Resta said that the team is working hard to get good results in the second half of the season.
“I don’t want to let this championship get away from us. We started off really well and there is no reason why we can’t keep doing that.
“We have missed some opportunities lately, allowing our rivals to close in. But I have faith in the team and everyone is working hard for the races ahead,” said di Resta.
“We need to get the car working for us like before. In Budapest it was difficult to drive but sometimes you get those tough weekends. Since then we have regrouped and analysed the previous races and hopefully this weekend will be a fresh start.
“Everyone is determined to get back to the situation we had at the start of the year when
we seemed to be punching above our weight,” added the Briton.
Force India’s good memories also linked to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps where they notched their first and only podium finish when Giancarlo Fisichella finished second in 2009.“The circuit is the favourite for most drivers. It’s a real pleasure to drive here and I’ve had some good results.
“The high-speed corners are a really nice challenge and there are lots of overtaking opportunities,” added Sutil.
MotoGP set to return to Brazil after a decade
MotoGP will return to Brazil for the first time in a decade next year subject to an upgrade to the Nelson Piquet track in Brasilia, promoters Dorna announced yetserday.
Grand Prix motorcycling last took place in the country in Rio de Janeiro in 2004 and its return is subject to approval by the MotoGP safety commission and the agreement of the governing International Motorcycling Federation (FIM).
“Brazil is one of the most important motorcycling markets in the world (and a return) has been a wish of the whole MotoGP family for many years,” Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta said after meeting with local promoters and government officials at the circuit.
“I think it is really fantastic. It is an important project for us. Right now, Brazil is involved in many big projects, such as the football World Cup and the Olympic Games, so it is also very important for them.”
Should the race get the go-ahead, South America would go from having no rounds in the 2013 calendar to two in 2014 with Argentina also hosting a race at the new Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
MotoGP will return to Indianapolis next season despite some concerns that the Brickyard event was under threat.
Although the American circuit has a contract that runs until 2014, there were doubts about the race’s future after Mark Miles, CEO of circuit owners Hulman and Co, spoke of the venues’ “inability to draw a large crowd” for the MotoGP event.
Any concerns, though, were laid to rest this weekend when Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles confirmed that the event will be on next year’s calendar.
Boles even added that the famous Brickyard circuit is keen to extend its MotoGP
deal.
“We’re very pleased that we can bring our fans another thrilling MotoGP World Championship race in 2014 at IMS,” he said.