Category: Present

Mallya hopeful of more points in 2010

Dr Vijay Mallya believes that Force India can target podium finishes in 2010, after the team scored its first points of the season in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Although Adrian Sutil’s chances were compromised after a collision with the Renault of Robert Kubica at the start, team-mate Tonio Liuzzi drove a determined race to finish in ninth place, and claim two points for the Silverstone-based team.

Ferrari look at cooling issues

Ferrari are looking into cooling issues with their F10 and are hoping to have a solution ahead of the Melbourne Grand Prix.

Both Ferrari drivers were given a new engine ahead of the season opener and although Massa said that he backed off in the last 30 laps of the Bahrain Grand Prix to save fuel, it has now emerged that there were also concerns about his car overheating.

Alonso under no illusions about season ahead

Fernando Alonso praised his Ferrari team, as the Spaniard notched up his first victory for the Prancing Horse in Bahrain.

Alonso was in superb form and after passing his team-mate at the start of the race, he quickly took advantaged of a faltering Sebastian Vettel to claim victory.

Hamilton pleased with podium place

Lewis Hamilton has admitted that McLaren face an uphill struggle to close the gap to Ferrari and Red Bull.

Although Hamilton drove a strong race, his third place finish came as a result of Sebastian Vettel’s misfortune. Despite this, the 2008 champion was pleased with his day’s work.

Barrichello: Williams must close gap

Rubens Barrichello welcomed his first point of the season – but admitted to be disappointed that his Williams could not challenge further up the order.

The veteran Brazilian had expected to take advantage of his grid slot to score highly, but ultimately found that he did not have the pace to match the front runners.

Virgin aim to improve

Virgin remain bullish about the season ahead, despite both drivers failing to make the finish of the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Although Timo Glock had qualified highest of the new teams and had looked quick during the race, the German was forced to park his car with a gearbox issue.

Kubica’s race spoiled by first corner spin

Robert Kubica was left ruing his first corner accident with Adrian Sutil, after the Pole narrowly missed out on the points.

The Renault driver was caught out by the Red Bull of Mark Webber, which poured out smoke right infront of Kubica and obstructed his vision. This in turn led to Sutil’s Force India colliding with the 25-year-old.

Lotus manage to complete Bahrain race distance

Mike Gascoyne expressed his joy, as both of his Lotus cars managed to make the finish of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Heikki Kovalainen was fifteenth, and the highest finisher of all the new teams, with team-mate Jarno Trulli classified in seventeenth.

Vettel: I should have won

Sebastian Vettel expressed his devastation, after a mechanical failure robbed him of victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Vettel, who had controlled the race from the start, was on course to take victory until an exhaust failure forced him to drop back through the field. Despite this, the German managed to hold off a charging Nico Rosberg to take fourth.

Hydraulic problems halt Sauber

Sauber suffered a disappointing start to its 2010 season, as both Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi were forced to retire from the Bahrain Grand Prix with hydraulic issues.

Their retirements capped off a poor weekend for the Hinwil-based squad, who had been expected to challenge towards the front of the grid.