Force India Speed Secret

Working Smart and Hit Rabbits

The Speed of  Force India-Mercedes at the Spa-Francorchamps make Formula 1 fans shook their heads. How can the"the worst" team has soared to the front, with Giancarlo Fisichella grabbed pole position and nearly won the Belgian Grand Prix?

The answer is not the magic of India. This success is  result of patience, a clever working way, plus the circumstances that make it possible. Also possibly, "smells of" good luck.

At the beginning of the season, Force India is not the slowest. In this most competitive season, less than two seconds per lap separating the fastest with the slowest.
Then testing restrictions limit the ability of richer teams to run away further from the others. While providing an opportunity for the  ‘poor’ teams to find the progress and stay close to the rich. Work smart and efficient use of budget, can be directly attached to the front.

Work smart, that is what Force India do. Remember, even though this team had existed a year ago, its base is a very experienced team. This team used to be Jordan, who later became Midland, and  Spyker, before change to Force India. F1 fan would know, Jordan is not a bad team. It’s smart team that can achieve maximum results with mediocre funds.

And at the beginning of the season, Force India is not bad. Several times Adrian Sutil likely reach points, but always failed because of various reasons, including getting out of track.

Remember too, they have a Mercedes-Benz engine, the same engine as that Brawn used. Not only the engine, Force India also use McLaren girboks. Thus, from the engine side, this is an elegant car. Just wrapped with a great chassis package, and they’ll be a competitive car.

Force India new speed is also already visible in the European Grand Prix, at Valencia, Spain, a week before the Belgian GP. The team came  there with the expected package. Because of limited fund, the new Force India just able to make significant car updates  in 11’s series. However, Force India technical team are able to work "smarter," discover exactly proper package.

The new package includes the front wings, aerodynamic accessories in addition to the car, and a new floor.
Although Force India fails to score point at Valencia, but its car performance there has been able to make the team owned by Vijay Mallya’s smiling to face the next competitions.

"I am very pleased with the performance of the team. We should be proud with the progress that we do," Mallya said in Valencia.

Before the race yesterday, Fisichela had praised the work of the Force India personnel at the team headquarters. "They have doing fantastic work considering our limited budget. I think our team works best in F1, which was better than Ferrari and McLaren," he said. "At the beginning of our season over nearly two seconds slower. Now it’s only a fraction of a second difference," he continued.

In Belgium, the situation contributing. Long circuit (more than seven miles) and flows provide an opportunity for the Force India car to show their abilities. Mercedes engines also push the car very well at the Spa straight long track.

Then, Fisichella skill and experience pushed the car more quickly. This 36 years driver was classified as master in Spa, repeatedly went to podium, including his first full season with Jordan-Peugeot, in 1997.

At Spa, there are also signs of "luck" during practice rounds last Saturday (29 / 8). At that time, Fisichella had hit a rabbit. "My engineer from British said , when we face something with rabbits, then it is a sign of good luck. If that’s true, then the next competitions around the circuit I will looking for more rabbits," said Fisichella after getting pole position.

In the next race, at Monza, Italy, September 13, later, Fisichella may not need to look for rabbits. If still with Force India (not drive for Ferrari), he had a strong capital to repeat the success in Belgium.

Monza circuit character is Super-fast , demanding a car with great engine and efficient chassis  aerodynamics. All that is now owned by the Force India. Podium again at Monza? Why not! Victory at Monza? Why not! From now on, never again underestimate the Force India.

Formula 1 Title Determination Period

Only five races left in the Formula 1 season 2009. Jenson Button and Brawn-Mercedes started running out of ”savings”, they both must work all-out to win the drivers and constructors titles. Could they?

Brawn-Mercedes continue to make people shake their heads. At the beginning of the season, beyond the expectations of all people, they were so dominant. Jenson Button won even six of seven first race, running away from the others in the championship.

In the last five races, this team again make fans shake their heads. Yes, Rubens Barrichello seize one victory. However, Button like a lost child. In the last five races, his best result was finishing in fifth place. After that, once in  six position, two times in seven position, plus one time failed to finish (in Belgium, Sunday, 30 / 8).

Now, the situation at the top of the classification, especially drivers classification, to be quite strict. Button is only 16 points lead over Barrichello, and only about 21 points above the couple Red Bull-Renault, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

In fact, there is a maximum of 50 points available, and recent trends shows that Button is the slowest among the four Contender.

Button “ Point saving” that he collected at the beginning of the season was useful in the middle of this difficult situation. But, the savings are depleted. In fact, probably too low to be used until the end of this season!

What’s wrong with Button? Clearly, the problem is not just a car. Remember, Barrichello able to perform better in the last five races. In addition, the problem is not a racing development levels. Remember, Button won six times at the beginning of this season. He knows how to race and win.

Like all things in this world, the problem is quite complex. On the one hand, The Fortune which keep Button luck appears went to summer holiday. Or, maybe God  want to ”play” with Button once.

The most logical explanation, of course, given by Ross Brawn, the team boss.

Brawn admitted, BG P 001 cars is not suitable in cold track surface. Until the Belgian Grand Prix, the problem is not resolved. The car was designed so efficiently, so that ”refused” to  treat “the tire” roughly. As a result, the tire can’t reach their ideal temperature about 70-80 degrees celcius ). This resulting the car not able to achieve optimal attachment and record the best time.

Brawn added, for Button, the problem has a bigger impact than to Barrichello. Button “smooth race “ style make tires more difficult to get ”hot”.

”Basically, he’s soft on tires. Usually, such a style give many advantages. But, in the situation we face, that style actually worsen the situation,” former Ferrari technical boss explained

However, Brawn is still optimistic in facing five final series. He also said that Button able to overcome the burden of this title hunt well.

”The driver was facing a lot of pressure. However, the pressure (to be a champion) This is something new for our team. He (Button) should be used to it,” he said as reported by the BBC. Luckily “he” was able to handle it well, "he said.

Button still be positive. ”I’m positive. There is no reason to be down. I lost two points (hunted by Barrichello), and it is not good. We can only hope things turn around in the next race,”said the British driver.

Whether to soothe fans or something else, Brawn is also trying to remind the the fans and teams not be disappointed if failed in hold world championship.

Brawn reminded that his team was lucky to stay in F1. Six months ago, the team threatened to disbanded after Honda decided to pull out from F1.

”Whatever the results we get a big bonus for this year. Indeed, we would be frustrated if we do not get what we want (the title of champion). But, whatever we achieve is  extraordinary,”he added.