Belgium result raises expectations at Force India (PA SportsTicker)
August 31, 2009
By PAUL LOGOTHETIS AP Auto Racing Writer
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium(AP)—Force India is confident that a second-place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix means the team can contend at the Italian GP, the next race on the Formula One calendar.
Giancarlo Fisichella started from the pole position and finished second to Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen in Sunday’s 44-lap race, giving the team its first points in its 30th race.
Expectations for a victory now abound, and with good reason.
“Why not?” team owner Vijay Mallya said. “We know that the car is quick – blindingly quick I would say. The sector times show it and I think the Monza track will suit us.”
Fisichella navigated the Spa-Francorchamps’ high speed circuit with ease and could have won if Raikkonen didn’t have his KERS boost to fend off any overtaking challenges. And Monza is a similar track to the Ardennes forest track, only faster.
“It looks very promising, it looks very good,” Fisichella said. “I’m not saying that we will repeat a result like today’s – which would be fantastic – but obviously getting into the top 10 and scoring points would be another fantastic result.”
Still, Force India’s first podium finish in a Formula One race received a bittersweet reception in its home country Monday, when India’s sports minister applauded the result but insisted that F1 was more entertainment than sport.
“I congratulate them for their efforts, but our view has been known for the past many months … Formula One is the most expensive entertainment,” Manohar Singh Gill said.
Mallya now has to try and hang on to Fisichella with Ferrari rumored to be interested in hiring the 36-year-old Italian to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa. Ferrari said it would make a decision by Wednesday whether Luca Badoer continues to drive Massa’s car after two straight last-place finishes.
“I’m just concentrating for the next race with Force India unless they are going to call me, but even if they do call me, there are many things to think about, so we will see,” Fisichella said.
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali was impressed with the former Minardi and Renault driver’s driving.
“He was performing fantastically, and he was pushing Kimi from the back very strongly,” Domenicali said. “I cannot say that following the speculation whether it is true or not, but sure today he did a great race.”
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