Force India, fourth in the Championship: in the big league?
Sahara Force India finished the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 7th and 8th positions, with Nico Hülkenberg ahead of Sergio Pérez. Fourth place in the Constructors' Championship was achieved. The great adventure begun in 2008 continues for Vijay Mallya's team!
Who could have predicted eight years ago that this small team could one day come close to illustrious teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and even surpass others like Williams?
It’s a linear progression, and hopes were allowed in this very selective field, especially with a fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship achieved in 2015.
This year, Force India stepped up a notch starting from the Singapore Grand Prix. Already, the season had been quite fulfilling with two podiums from Sergio Pérez in Monaco and then in Baku. This season showcased a relatively complete car capable of performing on different tracks. Since 2014, the team has managed to evolve its car throughout the season to finish with the best possible tools, despite a budget that is sometimes difficult to maintain.
This is what it means to us! #FeelTheFourth pic.twitter.com/lCnFuA9weJ
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) 27 novembre 2016
However, the race of the day was not as epic for the two Force India drivers as it was at the front of the race. A two-stop strategy was employed for the German and the Mexican, who did not gain any positions compared to their starting positions.
Nico Hülkenberg, for his last race, experienced a rather quiet race and only battled with his teammate and Max Verstappen at the lights out. Nevertheless, he was keen to score points, symbolizing a nice positive ending.
He summarizes his race: « It was quite a simple and solitary race in reality. I mostly fought against my teammate because the six cars ahead were out of reach. »
He also commented on the start of the race and the first corner: « At the first corner it was quite interesting because I was hit by Max (Verstappen), which damaged the side of my car and made things a bit more difficult. But luckily, we had the pace to hold the position and bring home this result. »
The German continues on the end of a chapter of five seasons (interspersed with a stint at Sauber in 2013).
It’s wonderful to finish with Force India on such a good result; and to have helped the team reach 4th place in the Constructors’ Championship. Everyone deserves congratulations and great credit for the immense work accomplished this year. I leave this team with many happy memories; Force India will always be a part of my life. I have learned a lot here and they have allowed me to become a better racing driver. We have grown together and I am proud of what we have achieved.
In the end, Nico Hülkenberg will only lack one thing with this team that saw him grow over five seasons between 2011 (as third driver) and 2012, then between 2014 and 2016, and that is indeed a podium.
Feel the Fourth! 💪🏻😜🏁 #AbuDhabiGP #F1 @f1 @ForceIndiaF1 pic.twitter.com/q9kZmrCnld
— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHülkenberg) 27 novembre 2016
Sergio Pérez also had a calm race, except at the end where he had to face the return of Felipe Massa in his wake: « I am satisfied with my race. I finish where I started. Overall, it was a quiet race most of the time. But it got tense in the last laps when I had to defend against Felipe (Massa). I gave it my all at the beginning of my first stint to try to close the gap with Nico, but in the end, I finish just behind him. It was great to end the season with points and conclude this incredible year with a good result. »
The former McLaren driver will now take a break while already looking ahead to the next season: « Now the season is over. I will return to Mexico and enjoy my rest. It has been a long and intense year and I look forward to spending time with my friends and family. It will be a joyful holiday reflecting on what we have achieved this year. I will regain my strength and then it will be time to get back to work for 2017. »
Note that the Mexican secures seventh place in the Drivers’ Championship and surpasses the 100-point mark for the first time for a Force India driver, with exactly 101 points.
Before projecting towards 2017 and its major changes, Vijay Mallya, Robert Fernley and the whole Force India team can congratulate themselves on the work accomplished in the 2016 season. They have reaped the rewards of their hard work over these past nine seasons. A nice ending for Nico Hülkenberg who is off to a new adventure with Renault and Sergio Pérez who may, who knows, aim for the third place in the Constructors’ Championship next year with the young French talent Esteban Ocon by his side.
