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Force India still targets Sauber

Force India is currently 35 points behind Sauber © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Paul di Resta
• |
• Vijay Mallya

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo
• |
• Racing Point

Force India is still targeting catching Sauber in the constructors' championship by the end of the season.

Following Kamui Kobayashi's podium at the Japanese Grand Prix, Sauber is currently 35 points clear of Force India in sixth place in the standings and just 20 points behind fifth-placed Mercedes. While Force India has yet to be on the podium this season, Paul di Resta thinks that the team will be stronger at the remaining circuits than it was in Japan and must try to score points in every race.

"Mathematically it is realistic to take the fight to Sauber, but to get ahead of them we will need to be in the points at all the remaining races," di Resta said. "Sauber were on the podium again in Japan, which makes our task even more difficult, but we are hopeful that the tracks coming up will be more suited to us - certainly compared to Suzuka. To beat them we will need to be on top of all the issues we had in Japan."

Ignoring the constructors' standings, team principal Vijay Mallya highlighted how good Force India's form has been recently but admitted podiums would be required if it is to catch Sauber.

"I think we are having a strong end to the season already," Mallya said. "We have scored points in the last four races, including two fourth places, and we've already scored more points than we did during the whole of last year. Our car will suit some tracks more than others, but as long as we keep picking up the points we can keep the pressure on the teams around us. Korea should be good for us and hopefully Abu Dhabi and India.

"A podium has been goal since the start of the year. It's what we need if we are to get closer to sixth in the championship. We've got two very competitive drivers and they've shown already that either one of them is capable of doing it under the right conditions. With five races to go there is still plenty to play for and we won't give up until the chequered flag drops in Brazil."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.