Nico finishes with four points at Indian GP, Force India satisfied with result

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Sahara Force India were satisfied with one of their cars finishing in the top-10 at their home race here on Sunday.

Nico Hulkenberg gained four places from his grid position to finish eighth while Paul di Resta finished 12th from 16th on the start line.

The team collected four points, bettering their last year’s show at the Buddh International Circuit. Adrian Sutil had finished ninth for Force Indian at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

“It was a great result after a tough qualifying Saturday. The fact that we held off a faster car in Lotus,” deputy team principal Robert Fernley told IANS, referring to Romain Grosjean’s ninth-place finish.

“Even Paul drove a good race after having drag issues with the car.”

Team principal Vijay Mallya was also delighted to see his cars score points in the home race.

“I’m delighted to see Sahara Force India score points at our home race - for the second year in a row. After qualifying we knew we had a big task ahead of us, but Nico rose to the challenge and raced well to finish in eighth place. It’s a very satisfying result and it means we have scored points in the last six races – that’s every race since the summer break," Mallya said.

"These are important points for our fight in the constructors? championship and we will continue to push very hard in the remaining three races. Paul also battled hard in the race, moving up four places, but it was difficult for him to challenge for points in the end."

"Overall it’s been another great Indian Grand Prix. The circuit is a magnificent venue for motor racing and the Buddh International Circuit has once again delivered a fantastic event which we have all enjoyed immensely,” he added.

The Silvertsone-outfit is chasing Sauber for sixth place in the team standings.

Hulkenberg got past Sergio Perez on Lap 15 and that made the result sweeter.

“It was obviously good to overtake Perez. It was a pretty straightforward DRS move at turn 4. It was incredible to see the track condition changing constantly through the race. Overall, we got the best out of the car,” said Hulkenberg.

Sauber, who have 116 points to Force India’s 93, drew blank from the race with Perez retiring and Kamui Kobayashi coming 14th.