The two young drivers of Sahara Force India Formula One team take pride in the outfit they represent and compete keenly against each other. But they are also wise enough to complement one another for the well-being of their team.
Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg know how important it is to work as a unit when aspiring to make one's mark at the fiercely competitive environment of F1.
“The relationship is quite strong so far in terms of friendship, (and) equally, competitiveness (as well)… It is more important to work together and with the team's performance we can show that,” di Resta told mediapersons during a Mercedes event at the Buddh International Circuit here on Tuesday.
“We are really hungry for success. We are in the early phase of our F1 careers. Hopefully, we can separate life on circuit (and off it) and we are pushing each other very hard for our own good and the team's good,” said Hulkenberg .
The team work paid off for Force India over the last weekend in Malaysia where the side overcame difficult conditions to gain eight valuable points.
“Anything (situation) can equally benefit the team, the bad one as well as the good one. It shows team commitment, shows strength. Under a lot of pressure and difficult circumstances, I must say, everybody raised the game (in Sepang). Probably, that's why we achieved what we did,” said di Resta.
Even as di Resta was optimistic that Force India would be able to develop its car through the season to improve its performance, he said it would be tough for the side to achieve a podium finish this season. “It is a massive task and a difficult one,” he said.
The discussion had to turn to the recent war of words between Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan and defending champion Sebastian Vettel following the collision between the two in Malaysia.
“I heard about whatever happened and I also saw it on TV. From what I saw, it was not Narain's fault,” said Hulkenberg. “I think Vettel was just emotional at that point of time. He lost out on points, it was frustrating for him and his team,” he added.
