Monaco Grand Prix: Force India preview

Inconspicuous as always.

It’s been five years since the team came into being and they’ve progressed very little in that time. This being the Monaco Grand Prix, the most glamorous event of the racing calendar, an impression here usually shows your progression as a team due to the heavy demands on the car. Red Bull won the Driver’s Championship and Constructor’s Championship in their fifth year but Force India is no way close to where they’re supposed to be.

At the Monaco Grand Prix, they’re pretty much the dark horses, the fact that they’re something on the positive side of things is shocking but that could be because the cars below them have regressed, too. The team were to do better this year than the last two but as they’ve shown in the races so far. They’re far from actually winning a race and it looks like they’ll be heading in the same direction for some time to come.

Adrian Sutil has come back into the fold of the team after allegedly trying to slash a guy with a beer bottle in a party. Amazing! But, he’s a good driver, good enough for the likes of Force India and if they have to count on someone to improve their performances, it could be Sutil: experienced, German and he fought with Jarno Trulli track-side. There are innumerable drivers who want to do that.

Back to Monaco, the VJM-06 is decent, it had good pace but it lacks the balance required and that could dampen their spirits, the rain could, too but mainly the balance. They sported a few new upgrades in Spain and it brought them a little step closer to mediocrity meaning they’ll be hoping to touch on mediocrity in the Principality.

Paul di Resta has had a better season than his team mate almost clinching a podium. The Scotsman has a long way to go in terms of trying to turn a poor car into a race winning one. Not many are Michael Schumachers but di Resta comes close. The fact that Ferrari and Lotus tried to sign him up is enough of a justification.

For the team to do well in Monaco, they’re going to have to dominate in qualifying but the new tyres still haven’t been read and they’ll be praying for lower temperatures to help them.

Mercedes are clear favourites and they’ve shown here last year with Schumacher. They’re also on a bit of a roll in terms of qualifying, grabbing pole in the last three races.

Ferrari and Lotus come second in favouritism followed by Red Bull.

The Force Indias could actually compete with the Mclarens. They’ve got similar terrible run-ins and both have the same engines and have demonstrated almost identical balance judging by their performance in Spain.

Vijay Mallya and co will hope that their drivers are able to pull a rabbit off a hat because they need it. A win, or good points could just as well kick-start their season. Late, yes but it’ll nonetheless.