Force India Formula 1 team sees Williams's form as its benchmark

Since scoring only five points and finishing ninth in the constructors' championship in its disastrous 2013 season, Williams has enjoyed a spectacular turnaround in form.

Amid changes in personnel and philosophy throughout the company, it took third in the standings in both 2014 and '15 and scored 13 podium finishes along the way.

Fernley believes Force India - which was fifth in last year's standings - can emulate Williams's success, but not exceed it.

"The best that we can achieve, in reality, is what Williams are doing, and that should be our goal," Fernley told Autosport.

"I think Williams are the benchmark of an independent team's performance, with them challenging for podiums.

"The chances are, unless something desperately goes wrong elsewhere, they're not going to win a race, and they're certainly not going to win a championship."

With both teams powered by Mercedes engines, Fernley appreciates there is one area where Force India can improve if it is to raise itself up to Williams's level.

"Clearly aero-wise Williams are doing a slightly better job, which shows we can do more," he added.

"If you look at the performance graphs over the second half of last season, we were chipping away at that a little bit.

"We're obviously playing catch-up, which is a relatively slow process.

"As we're doing that, they're still moving on, so there's work to do."