Brazilian Grand Prix, Sunday 13th November 2016. Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Despite missing out on podium chances for both cars, Force India has branded its Brazilian Grand Prix performance “a victory” after a strong double points finish all but seals their fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
With Sergio Pérez finishing just off the podium in fourth and Nico Hülkenberg recovering from a puncture to seventh, Force India leaves Interlagos with twenty-seven points in hand over rivals Williams, who failed to score after Felipe Massa retired and Valtteri Bottas finished down in eleventh.
That means that, with just one round remaining, Williams would have to finish second and fifth at least in Abu Dhabi to end the year in fourth, even if Force India fail to score. If the latter finishes the final round in seventh and eighth – as the fourth fastest team ought to – Williams would have to win the race and get their second car on the podium as well.
Force India’s deputy team principal Bob Fernley said that carrying such a lead into the final round is “a fantastic reward for an excellent job by the entire team.
“With such difficult track conditions, just getting both cars to the finish [in Brazil] is a victory and to have both in the points takes us a good step closer to achieving fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.”
James Matthews