Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/02)
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| FP3: |
20th |
1:36.939 |
(21 laps) |
| Q1: |
21st |
1:37.101 |
(10 laps) |
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/05)
| |
| FP1: |
14th |
1:36.229 |
(21 laps) |
| Q1: |
17th |
1:36.240 |
(9 laps) |
The Force India Formula One Team again got within touching distance
of making it through to Q2 in the qualifying session for tomorrow's
Malaysian Grand Prix. Giancarlo Fisichella, the 2006 Malaysian Grand
Prix winner, was just 0.05secs from making it into the top 16 and just
over one second off the fastest time of the session. Encouragingly,
while other teams' fastest lap times in qualifying have remained the
same as 2007, Force India has improved its quickest lap by over two
seconds.
In changeable weather
conditions with the threat of rain breaking at any moment, Giancarlo
and Adrian both completed three runs in the 20 minute session.
Giancarlo featured strongly throughout but was pipped at the last
corner by Rubens Barrichello.
Adrian
Sutil had a more difficult day, struggling to get the car balance on
the softer tyres. The German will start his second Malaysian Grand Prix
from 21st position.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'It was not a good qualifying, but to be honest I was expecting this as
we had not had a great practice in the morning. We had problems again
trying to get the soft tyres to work, my car is just not behaving how
it should be with them and I even tried a hard set. The car felt much
better but for sure with them I can't race the other cars. In the race
and over longer runs I think we are better. In Melbourne it was OK and
I have a good feeling there is more in the car.'
Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21)
'Just five hundredths away from Q2, it was very close! I am a little
disappointed with not getting there, but I did my best and did a
fantastic lap. Let's say it's very encouragaing - just five hundredths
from the top 16 and Q2, and just under a second from the quickest lap
time of that session - it is very promising for the future. The team
has done a fantastic job so far. Of course we have a lot of work to do
but looking forward we are going in the right direction, which is just
great.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'Ultimately it was very disappointing to have missed out on Q2 with
Giancarlo by only five hundredths of a second. It is also frustrating
to have been within a second of the quickest time in the first session
and to still be 17th on the grid, but that shows just how close and
exciting Formula One is at the moment. Giancarlo has done a good job
all day, Adrian struggling with the balance, but overall I think we
have a car that can be competitive with those in front of us and I
think the new parts we have had on the car here have increased our
performance from Melbourne. We have to look to the strategy to have a
good race here tomorrow.'
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