Force India to experiment with different parts in Abu Dhabi

  • Published on 22 Nov 2017 13:48
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

With fourth place in the constructors' championship secure, Force India has switched its full attention to next year's car. The Silverstone based squad has ended up in fourth place for the second consecutive season, and team owner Vijay Mallya has expressed how proud he is of the achievements.

"Whatever happens in Abu Dhabi this weekend, 2017 has already been our most successful season to date," he said, "I can’t stress just how proud I am of our achievements. Claiming fourth place in the World Championship for two consecutive years doesn’t happen by accident and I have to pay tribute to each and every one of the 400 staff who played their part in making it possible."

The team will be running with 2018 parts during the free practice sessions to get an understanding of their effectiveness and further develop next year's competitor. After making his debut practice appearance in Brazil, George Russell will also be returning to the wheel during FP1.

"With fourth place secure, it’s nice to end the season free from pressure," Mallya continued. "Of course, the focus is firmly on 2018 and we will continue experimenting with different things on the car this weekend. We will also continue running George Russell in Friday practice. We have usually been competitive in Abu Dhabi and it’s important to end the season well before the start of a busy winter finalising a new car for 2018."

The Yas Marina Circuit may have some challenging and difficult parts for the drivers, but Force India's chief race engineer Tom McCullough has stated that it is tough for the engineers as well. He also confirmed that the team will use the weekend to help develop next year's car.

"The Yas Marina circuit is a challenge for engineers too: it’s very hard on the brakes and the practice sessions take place early in the day," McCullough said, "with higher track temperatures than those we experience during qualifying and race at twilight, meaning it’s important to assess the car requirements accurately."

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • That sounds like a good idea. FI already dont want to grab too many points.

    • + 0
    • Nov 23 2017 - 07:57

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 05:47

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 05:47

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 806
  • Podiums 19
  • Grand Prix 134
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Feb 15 1998 (27)
  • Place of b. King's Lynn, GB
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar