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ShareAn ecstatic Vijay Mallya tells DNA that he expects a podium finish.
Has the party started?
Not yet. The entire team is still in the motorhome. Also, we have an important job to perform tomorrow.
Are you shocked?
I am pleasantly surprised. It's important to understand this team's background. I bought the team in December 2007. The car that raced in 2008 was a modified version of the 2007 Spyker car. It was in 2009 that we designed and built a car from scratch. For a better part of the season our cars have been finishing consistently in the midfield. Also, we had couple of chances of scoring points. There have been regular aerodynamic upgrades to the car. After a long summer break, we had upgrades for Valencia where we finished in a strong 10th and 12th position. We also had a front and rear wing upgrades for Belgium.
What does the pole mean personally to you?
I am extremely happy. It is an immensely proud moment for me and the entire team. It is not some obscure event...this is Formula One, the pinnacle of motorsports and the
ultimate statement for cutting-edge technology.
How does it feel to out-qualify big budget and established teams?
This only shows that money can't buy performance. You don't need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to build a good car, like some manufacturers do. Red Bull, which is a championship contender, doesn't have a high budget.
A podium finish now a possibility?
It would be strange to not expect a podium finish from pole position. However, I am not going to push my luck too far. Qualifying and race are two completely different things.
People have criticised the team for not scoring a single point in 30 races...
This is the best reply to the critics. A pole in a Formula One race and that too on a fast and demanding circuit like the Spa-Francorchamps shows the team's strength.
With this performance, has Force India made the transition from being a mid-field contender to a frontrunner?
It's difficult to predict anything because of the different nature of circuits. Every circuit, you have different set-ups, different aero packages. You can't expect to be on top for every race. We will take one race at a time.
Fisichella is being linked to Ferrari...Your comments?
No comments on Fisichella and Ferrari.
