Formula One news

Productive day for Force India

Force India's pre-German Grand Prix test got underway today at the Hockenheimring, Germany. Adrian Sutil, on driving duties in preparation for his home race in just over a week's time, had a productive day, completing 97 laps and recording the fourth quickest time of the day, just over one second from the session's best time set by British Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton. 

"Today's programme very much followed on from the progress we made at the Silverstone test and British Grand Prix with the new aero and mechanical package," said chief engineer Dominic Harlow. "In the morning, we used last weekend's set-up as a baseline and then worked on tuning it for the various challenges of the Hockenheimring. In the afternoon we worked through some reliability items and brake cooling and set-up and made some good, solid progress. Although the rain just before and after lunch and the high winds did slightly disrupt the programme and made it difficult to draw some conclusions, with no major mechanical problems over the day, we were able to complete 97 laps to set a strong basis for tomorrow where we will test some further aero parts."

Adrian Sutil commented, "It was quite a good day, we could do lots of laps without any real problems. It was disturbed by the rain quite a bit but at least we did as much dry running as we could have done. We worked on set-up in the morning and I was quite happy with the car. In the afternoon it was more difficult, with the rain and then the wind picked up quite a lot and it was very difficult with the balance, but overall I am quite confident and feel very good. I like the circuit here - the last time I drove it was in 2005 in a Formula 3 car so I was really looking forward to the first go today with the F1 car. It's just amazing how quick it is. I think tomorrow we will have better weather, so conditions should be more consistent. We have a lot to test with some new parts, so all together working to improve the car."

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• 12 Oct.
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  • No joy for Williams in Japan
  • Four home points for Toyota
  • Pointless day for Honda
  • Mixed feelings for Force India
  • Hamilton admits mistake, vows to stay aggressive
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  • Photos: Sunday at Fuji
• 11 Oct.
  • Honda to announce 2009 driver line-up after the season
  • Ferrari faces uphill battle
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Another double top ten for Toro Rosso
  • McLaren delighted with qualifying
  • Back row again for Force India
  • BMW hopes rest with Kubica
  • Alonso keeps Renault competitive
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
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  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice

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