Sutil: Force India form bodes well

The German ran strongly throughout the race after qualifying eighth, and believes that the work done to the VJM03, including the use of a blown diffuser in a race for the first time, bodes well for the rest of the season.

"Another fifth place so I am very pleased as I started in P8, but I think that was the best we could do," said Sutil.

"It was very tricky conditions out there and you never knew what would happen with the weather. When the rain came it was sometimes light in places and heavy in others and I had to really concentrate to drive it home safely."

The highlight of Sutil's race was easily passing the Mercedes of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher for fifth on the run up to Les Combes on lap 25.

"Of course I was racing closely so I had to keep pushing, particularly after the safety car periods when the field bunched up, so we had some great racing and overtaking.

"The upgrades worked well and we can still improve - it was just the start of the development, which looks good for the next race in Monza as well."

Sutil's team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi finished 11th after losing his front wing in a collision with Sebastian Vettel.

However, he was promoted to 10th when Jaime Alguersuari was penalised post-race for cutting the Bus Stop chicane to pass the Italian with three laps remaining.