Force India will begin their evaluation of 2018-spec parts over the final two Grands Prix after achieving their pre-season goal of retaining their fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship from last season.
This year has been the best ever season for the Silverstone outfit who have already surpassed what was their previous highest tally of points in a year from 2016. In fact, the top midfield team sit second to Mercedes with 15 double points finishes in the 18 races so far with Esteban Ocon in the top 10 at every race bar Monaco.
Now 99 points ahead of Williams in fifth, COO Otmar Szafnauer claims more risks will be taken in a bid to continue their strong form in the face of what they acknowledge will be stronger competition in 2018.
“It’s a great achievement for the team [to finish fourth],” the American said. “Now [what we’ve] got to do is utilise the fact that we’ve done it to our advantage.
“”We’ve got to think differently in the next two races and do experiments. Do things differently that will help for next year. There are some components that we want to try and are a bit more risky so we can go ahead and try them. If we lose some time on a Friday, big deal.
“We will hopefully gain for next year at the expense of this year because the expense of this year is meaningless. But the gain for next year will be meaningful.”
With the Teams’ Championship situation now resolved, it is between Ocon and Sergio Perez for which driver will finish in the coveted seventh place in the Drivers’ standings.
Currently it is the Mexican who sits nine points clear of the Frenchman but strictly enforced team orders, following the various incidents in Baku and Belgium, have allowed Ocon to close in.
Perez has been the most vocal to see the orders ended but Szafnauer may not be so ready, claiming: “It’s better for the fans if they are allowed to race. But at the same time, car parts aren’t cheap!”
