Sahara Force India looks forward to home race at Silverstone

David Bodapati July 5, 2018

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Silverstone, 5 July 2018th: As the Formula One World Championship moves to Silverstone for the 10th round, Sahara Force India look forward to the home race with the factory just across the road near the track. After a double DNF in France, the Indian outfit managed a Double-Points finish in Austria but still languish at the 7th place with 42 points in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Haas (5th) and McLaren. Sergio Perez has garnered 23 points till now while Esteban Ocon has 19. After the 14 points in France, Force India remain within 20 points to the Fourth-placed team.

The Team Principal Vijay Mallya, who is unable to travel to races outside England due to his legal restrictions, is likely to be present in the paddock. He says: “After celebrating 200 races in Austria, we arrive at Silverstone for our home race feeling pretty upbeat. Scoring 14 points was important after the disappointment of France and it means we are only 20 points away from fourth place in the championship. Silverstone is a hugely busy week for the team and one we all enjoy. We have some aero parts to introduce to the cars on Friday, which will hopefully take us another step forward as well.”

Drivers’ quotes:

Sergio Perez: “Silverstone is a very special weekend for our team. It’s the only race in which we get to see all the team members, their families and so many guests: a lot of people that sometimes we only see once a year. For us, this brings so much extra motivation. It’s a race where we want to do especially well and I hope we get a result to celebrate properly across the road, at HQ.

“I lived in the UK for four years in the early part of my career, when I was racing in F3. I liked it and I still have a lot of close friends around Silverstone. Going back for the race is always a good chance to catch up with everyone. I know lots of good local restaurants as well.

“The track itself is great and I love racing at Silverstone. It’s such a fluid and fast layout and you really enjoy a Formula One car at its best on this track. It’s a wonderful feeling. Overtaking is difficult, but it’s possible. There are a few places where you can make a move: a few big braking zones, such as turn five.”

Esteban Ocon: “It’s fantastic to be racing in Britain. Our base is just across the road from the track and I spend a lot of time there during the year, so it really feels like home. You can feel how important it is for the team: there is a different atmosphere and I really enjoy it.

“I always get to see all our staff who work at the factory when I go back, but this week I will spend a bit more time with everybody because I’m there for much longer. I will be in Silverstone all week and it’s a good chance to put in a lot of work.

“The track itself is legendary. It’s a quick circuit with a lot of high-speed corners and it is a very challenging place where the driver can make the difference. I really enjoy driving there. This year the track has been resurfaced so this will be a new element with which everyone will need to deal.

“Overtaking at Silverstone is not easy. Turns five and six are probably the best opportunities. Maggots and Becketts are also great to drive and the straight immediately afterwards means you can get an overtaking chance if you’re quick through those corners. You also have to keep an eye on the weather, but this week it looks like it’s going to be very hot. I was actually hoping for some rain to mix things up a little!

“Silverstone is also the time we go to the Woodlands Campsite. There are always a lot of fans supporting Force India: we see them with their caps and shirts and it’s always good fun going there and meeting them. There is a special atmosphere and I am looking forward to it.”