Force India eye step forward in 2008

The Silverstone-based squad, who in 2007 competed as Spyker before changing owners, finished the year in 10th place with one point scored after showing improved form in the final part of the season following a shaky start.

Gascoyne admits the team did not manage to develop their car as quickly as they had hoped, but he is still optimistic they are on the right track for the future.

"I think we finished the season in very good shape," Gascoyne told the official Formula One website.

"The year was very difficult in some respects, the team did not develop as we had hoped, it was quite difficult financially and then we had the sale of the team.

"Looking back we haven't been able to do as much as we wanted and we haven't moved forward as much as we would have liked. Nevertheless, looking forward, we can now be very optimistic about the future."

Gascoyne reckons Force India need to take a leap forward in 2008 in order to be able to fight for points more often.

"For 2008 I think we definitely have to make a step forward, be more consistent, qualify better and, if we are racing in the midfield, regularly pick up the odd point. We certainly have to target more points next year," Gascoyne added.

"Scoring the first point was very important as the team has been on the back foot for many years now. Although finishing the season with one point is not a lot different from zero, it certainly feels a lot different.

"It's a landmark for the team and shows we are moving forward - from a team at the start of the year that was just driving around at the back, to a team that can go racing.

"From this perspective it was very important so we need to make sure that we build on this next year."