Starting at the top. A double points finish for the team at the season opener in Australia, was a solid start to the new F1 season by Sahara Force India. Being on the cusp of the Top 10 all weekend was a great way to kick start 2015.
In the mist of things |
China was a difficult weekend for the team with Nico Hulkenberg being knocked out in Q1 on Saturday and having to retire from the race due to a gear box issue. There were positive signs when Sergio Perez just missed out on a points finish, but no time was to rest and it was on to the Bahrain.
The Bahrain Grand Prix saw a Sahara Force India into Q3 for the first time in 2015. Nico Hulkenberg firmly placed his car into 8th position to his and the teams delight. Sergio Perez just missed out on Q3 but managed to turn the performance round in the race as he scored his second points of the season after finishing 8th.
Olé and it's off to the Circuit de Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix which brought a tough fight for the Sahara Force India's as they failed to make it out of Q1 in qualifying and missed out on points in the race. With their heads held high it was time for the race weekend with the most used cliché of all time in F1, the Jewel in the Crown. Monaco baby!
I'm ready for my close up |
Canada was next up and it proved to be a solid weekend for Sahara Force India. Both cars were in and around the Top 10 in all Practice sessions, and when Qualifying arrived both drivers' reached Q3 for the first time this season, with Nico Hulkenberg starting on the fourth row on the grid in 7th and Sergio Perez starting behind him in 10th position. The Wall of Champions didn't make any Sahara Force India friends and Nico Hulkenberg cleaned up in 8th whilst Sergio Perez ended the race in 11th.
The Red Bull Ring was next on the agenda. A season best Qualifying performance by Nico Hulkenberg meant Sahara Force India would start the Austrian Grand Prix in 5th. Damp conditions at the beginning of the session led Sergio Perez to just miss out on Q2 and he lined up 16th on the grid. Perez had a corker of a race making up making seven places to finish 9th and Nico Hulkenberg made it a double points finish with his 6th place.
Coming into the British Grand Prix, the home race of Sahara Force India, the team introduced a new version of their VJM08 which featured a snazzy new shorter nose with 'nostrils' or air vents. The new spec worked wonders as the team had a back to back double points finish after a 7th and 9th place was bagged by Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez.
A game of hide and seek |
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