Sahara Force India driver Adrian Sutil is aiming at a top-five finish in the last three Formula One races of the season.
Sutil, the German driver of the Indian team for the last four years, had a couple of fifth-place finishes (at Sepang and Spa) last year and finished fourth at Monza the year before. This season, Sutil's best has been sixth at his home race in Germany at the Nurburgring. “I am open for new, good results. A podium is missing this year…Maybe I can do a top-five in the last three races,” said Sutil at the launch of commemorative Kingfisher cans, here on Monday.
Sutil said the success of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix would depend on how people in the cricket-crazy country respond to Formula One. Asked about the expectations of home fans, Sutil chose to play it down and assured his side would try hard for a better finish.
“It will be positive pressure. People are very excited. Everywhere there is pressure. Here, the attention is a little bit bigger. It is a global sport, everyone is watching everything. So, there is no difference here.”
Impressed with BIC
Sutil had some good words for the Buddh International Circuit (BIC). “I did the simulator. It was interesting. There are some blind corners and it's hard to hit the apex (speed) sometimes. Overtaking is possible.”
Sahara Force India, with 49 points, is currently sixth in the constructors' standings. Team principal Vijay Mallya has expressed optimism in beating Renault (72 points) to fifth place by the year-end.
According to Sutil, a top-five finish would be “difficult, but not an impossible task” to achieve.
He hoped that with Sahara joining hands with Force India, the team would become better in 2012. “It is always a process, it takes time. It is very good for Force India. With a new investor coming in, I hope Force India produces a better car next year.”
Test driver Nico Hulkenberg said the team was yet to have a look at the newly-built BIC. “We will go there on Thursday and check the circuit.”
The recent deaths of IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon and MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli has raised concerns about the safety of drivers in motor sports. However, Sutil was confident about the safety measures adopted in F1.
