Mallya: 2009 will be better for Force India

ADRIAN SUTIL

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Tuesday 12th August 2008

Vijay Mallya is confident Force India will proved to be a much improved team in their second season in Formula One next year.

This year's campaign has been Mallya first as team owner of the Force India outfit, formerly known as Spyker, and it although it has yielded some signs of improvement the team has still often found themselves at the back of the pack.

However, given the new technical regulations being introduced next season, Mallya is confident that his outfit will thrive when the playing field is leveled just that little bit.

"Force India have clearly demonstrated that we have caught up and improved. One realises how tough Formula One really is and it reinforces the challenge that I have before me for 2009 to be really competitive," he told the official F1 website.

"I'm not only catching up from last season, but from the last three seasons. And we have caught up, even though F1 has become so competitive, which is good.

"I am quite optimistic, however, that my experience so far has pointed us in the right direction. I now know precisely what I'm up against, so I can plan better.

"Maybe I learned the hard way, but it's good to learn. So 2009 will be much more competitive for the Force India team."

As for the team's 2009 line-up, Mallya hinted that he could retain both Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil despite neither scoring a single point so far this season.

"I have two good drivers. The experience of Giancarlo is invaluable and Adrian has lots of talent - I think he is improving race by race, becoming more consistent," he said.

"I am quite happy with them and, more importantly, they have a great attitude that will help me to face the challenges of tomorrow.

"I think they will be very satisfied driving the 2009 car, which I am sure will be a significant improvement and a big surprise."