F1 Mid-Season Review: Force India - Hit their limit?

After a highly successful 2014 season, which included their first podium since 2009, Force India tripped over themselves over the winter. They did not bring their 2015 car until the final test in Barcelona, which was underdeveloped and unlikely to match its predecessor.

However, we were pleasantly surprised by a double points finish in, albeit, an unusual season opener. But the VJM08’s lack of development began to show in the following rounds, with no points being scored in the next two races in Malaysia and China – two high downforce circuits.

The more engine-dependent Bahrain Grand Prix saw Sergio Perez take 8th, who also went on to take an impressive 7th in Monaco. But it was in Canada and Austria where the team saw most success, including their best finish of the season with 6th from Nico Hulkenberg at the Red Bull Ring.

With the introduction of their new B-car, which saw an innovative new nose design, cornering improvements were seen immediately, which helped the team to another double points finish at their home race at Silverstone. A double DNF in Hungary, due to a front wing failure for Hulkenberg and a brake failure for Perez, has hidden the VJM08-B’s true potential, which we will now have to wait until Singapore to see.

Despite a troubled start to the season, Force India currently sit 5th in the constructor’s championship – an incredible feat considering the competitiveness of the midfield. It must be said, however, that you cannot see the Silverstone squad reaching any higher, given the 57 point gap to Red Bull in 4th. The team’s goal will now to be to defend their position. But if the new car can match the potential the team thinks it has, that shouldn’t be too much of a challenge.

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