Sunday: Both Force India drivers finish in the points
Sergio Pérez and Nico Hülkenberg managed to place both their Force India cars in the points during the Austrian Grand Prix, allowing the Silverstone-based team to score important points in the constructors' championship.
Sergio Perez (No. 11) – 6th
The Mexican is delighted to have managed to finish in the top 10 despite a distant starting position on the grid: « Today, we achieved a positive result for the team, especially when you remember our starting position. When you start 16th [actually 15th, Ed.], you know it will be difficult to climb up the hierarchy, but I had a very good start and gained a few positions. […] The strategy worked; we showed once again that we can manage our tires, and that we have a good pace. »
Pérez is happy to score new points after some complicated races recently: « It’s nice to be back in the points after two disappointing races: the car is improving, and we are in good shape. »
Nico Hülkenberg (No. 27) – 9th
The German did not have an easy race, suffering from balance issues with his car: « It was a pretty tough afternoon and more difficult than expected. In the car, I struggled with balance, which affected my pace and tire wear as well. So I think it was a general lack of pace that prevented me from achieving a better result. Checo obviously had better race pace, even though he was on a different strategy, so we need to understand why that was the case. »
But Hülkenberg is nevertheless delighted to have a string of eight finishes in the points in 8 Grand Prix this year: « It’s nice to keep scoring points and I had some great battles this afternoon, especially with Ricciardo on the last lap. I was fighting well to keep him behind but he had the advantage with his tires and I couldn’t hold him off. »
