Drivers Paul Di Resta, who has had plenty of top ten finishes and Nico Hulkenberg hope to bring success to the team which did not have much success before being purchased four years ago by Vijay Mallya, an Indian businessman. Mallya hoped to bring the team whose drivers were often near the back of the pack on race day to greatness, and the experienced drivers may be able to do that just this year.
The team received its first F1 Championship points with a second place finish at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix. The team had been in 29 previous races. Many, perhaps even Mallya, were surprised when his team had the pole position and almost win at Spa in two short years. Giancarlo Fisichella was the driver that day. Kimi Räikkönen and mighty Ferrari may have been surprised by the challenge that faced them.
When Mallya’s team was Team Jordan in the 1990′s Eddie Jordan’s-founded team garnered four grand prix championships. It also was in the running for the 1999 Championship. If Mallya’s team continues to improve, it might return to such greatness.
When he bought the team, Mallya said he wanted his new team to have a podium finish in 2011, the year his country would have its inaugural grand prix. Many thought his goal was a dream that would never come to pass. Team Force India did not actually have a podium finish at the event in India, but Adrian Sutil finished ninth. The team was in the highest level of the midfield pack on merit. Team Force India was ninth in the Constructors’ standings in 2009, seventh in 2010, and a strong sixth in 2011. Paul Di Resta, was chosen as rookie-of-the-year for many awards.
The team is actually based in Silverstone in the United Kingdom.
