Break time for Force India, 5th in the Formula 1 Championship before the Circus' holidays

Fifth Formula 1 Championship’s power. Maybe that's the nickname that would deserve the Sahara Force India this season. Don’t misunderstand: "maybe" isn’t absolutely a negative word, but... Since its debut, the Indian team has evolved and became more competitive, climbing Constructors’ hierarchies in the Circus. 

 

For two years, at the end of the championship, it confirms the 5th place, but to aim even higher in 2016 it can; are 81 points collected by Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, 15 less than the most titled Williams, in a results and performance crisis.

Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, Austrian Grand Prix (Copyright: Force India)

If the team based in Silverstone, in Britain, finds himself in this situation it’s specially to two big shots like the podiums by Perez in Monaco - in an uncertain and wet race - and the brand new circuit of Baku, where rose on the lowest step of the podium thanks to a great overtake on Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari.

Also Hulkenberg brought her dowry of points, winning 33 in seven races with a 6th place in Monaco as the best result in this season.

 

The two pilots, three years teammates, are rehearsed and impeccable in teamwork: the Mexican breaks the delay and conquer striking results, useful for the team’s moral, while German has by its side the continuity to collect, little by little like an ant, those points needed to advance even further in the classification.

Sergio Perez during the awards, Monaco Grand Prix (Copyright: Force India)

It isn’t always everything perfect the path of Force India this year: in first races they got only six points from Hulkenberg in Australia and, in Russia and Spain, further eight points, which relegated the Indians only in 7th place, behind the rival Toro Rosso and the rookie Haas.

So, what did the Force India allow to assert and to reconfirm the 5th place before the summer break in August? Like last year, the team had not started in the best way the season, introducing a mid-season B version of the car. Yes, this year have been introduced updates, but the excellent team strategies, combined with the work of mechanics, it made possible the recovery. The luck plays its role too, thanks to the false steps of the Toro Rosso, Williams and the eclipse technique of Haas, in trouble with the car’s developments.

 

Nico Hulkenberg, European Grand Prix (Copyright: Force India)

Now, that the first part of the season ended, the team can to enjoy from deserved holiday, but the Spa-Francorchamps’ date isn’t that far away, and then ensure that the challenge will start again.

(C) Luca Basso