Q & A with Adrian Sutil

The Force India man spoke exclusively to AUTOSPORT about the progress he has made in 2010, why he is not concerned about the team's technical staff exodus and how he can't wait to try the new lay-out at Silverstone on Friday.

Q. How are things going this season?

Adrian Sutil: They are a really consistent team. It's important after a really good start to keep that level up and we really have done well with all the updates we have brought - which have worked from the day we put them on. We have been able to score quite a few points to be honest in the last couple of races.

At Montreal we were able to score quite a few points in the normal way. We were a bit unlucky with the puncture, I was up for P5 or P6. We then confirmed it in Valencia with another sixth position in the race. We had a very strong race pace. It is very obvious that we are doing well and the car is one of the best private teams. We are very close to the front-runners.

Q. Do you feel the momentum is still there, after last year's strong end to the year, and this year's good start?

AS: The momentum is there. I think we have a better car than last year. Last year's was only very good on low downforce circuits, but bad on high downforce tracks. That's the way how you win races in the future. We need a car that is good everywhere, and we have scored so many points already after half the season just because we have a consistent car and that was not the case last year. In 2009 we had three or four good circuits, and we had probably a chance for the podium, but everywhere else we were in big trouble. So that is another way forward.

The car is working everywhere and in my opinion it drives better as well. It is very nice to drive and it always has a good balance, you don't have to change things so much. It is always very good.

Q. A lot of the people involved in making this car good are moving on to other teams. Do you have a concern for next year?

AS: No. We lost a few people and we have lost Mark Smith for next year but that is Formula 1. They rotate around the paddock so many times. But we have other people working for us, coming from good teams and helping us to make the next step. I am not worried about that. It's more for the future. Mark's doing the car for next year as well, which he did really well so we are safe for next year.

Q. And you personally, this is a year of establishment where you are fulfilling your potential...

AS: I think it is a very good season. My goal is to score a lot of points and be consistent, which was a big problem last year. But I know the car and I feel very good in it, it suits me, and I can always get the maximum out of it through the race weekend. I am really happy.

From a driver point of view I have also grown up a bit. Through the years you learn a lot and now this is the first year I can really show it. But I am a really experienced driver here now and I can put it all together to bring the performance.

Q. Will Silverstone suit the Force India this weekend?

AS: We should have a good weekend here. Sure there are some cars that will be really fast here this weekend, it is a high downforce circuit with a lot of grip. But it is a new circuit , it is always interesting, some teams they need a little bit longer time to adapt to a circuit. And also some drivers need a bit longer. So there is a lot to learn here and it is a new challenge for everybody. I like new circuits, I like this kind of challenge and I think we can perform well here.

Q. Are you a fast learner?

AS: I am a fast learner. Circuit-wise I normally need two or three laps and that is it.

Q. Are there any aspects of the circuit you are particularly looking forward to?

AS: Yes, the quick right-left high-speed chicane at Abbey. I think it will be one of those corners that should be flat during the weekend - probably qualifying. For sure it is a corner where you will need to risk a little bit more, breath in, and then breath out again...

Q. What about the entry in to Brooklands, that looks a lot faster than previously?

AS: It's an interesting corner. There is some kerbing on the outside from the old circuit, but the apex is really quite late. But because of that kerbing you have a different entry than normal to the corner - you are on the inside earlier. Then you go out a little bit then in again for the real apex. It's a long corner where you carry a lot of speed, but you turn in early.

I think it will be one of those corners where it will be easy to lock up the front, you have a lot of load on the front, you are leaning on the right hand side. The left side is always very light. It will be a tricky bit I think you can gain or lose quite a bit.

Q. What are your thoughts on how you will adapt to Pirelli's tyres?

AS: The only tyre I have used in my F1 career was the Bridgestone, and for everybody it is a new tyre and you have to get used to it. I am not worried about it. They should be able to deliver a good tyre. They have been in F1, they know the procedures and what is important. They also have a lot of time to find out what they need.

We have again the four steps of different compounds. Sure there will be certain tyres that will suit the cars better and worse, but you don't really design a car around the tyres.