Force India switches focus to its 2017 Formula 1 design

Teams face a challenge to divide budget between 2016 to maximise their championship position and prize money and '17 when new rules offer a chance to mix up the order.

Force India introduced a big update for the Spanish Grand Prix last month, which has since yielded podiums in two of the last three races courtesy of Sergio Perez.

The plan is now to fully utilise that package but further developments for 2016 are now unlikely as the team looks to get ahead next term.

"Like everybody, the switchover will have already started but I don't see us putting an awful lot more effort into this car," deputy team principal Bob Fernley told Autosport.

"There's more that we can get out of the current set-up."

When asked if the switch of the majority of resources has already happened, Fernley said: "Yes, more or less.

"We have to develop what we have.

"The opportunity for next year is a complete new set of rules and a great chance for an incredibly good design team we have.

"You certainly don't want to give up the opportunity to start with a clean sheet next year."

Despite the shift in focus, Fernley said Force India's goal remains "to secure fifth" in the constructors' championship again this year.

It is 27 points clear of Toro Rosso and 31 adrift of Williams in fourth after Perez's third place in Baku.

"We've helped ourselves in Baku with that and Toro Rosso not scoring has helped us again," said Fernley.

"We've got to try and chase Williams.

"Toro Rosso are a strong team, so we've got to keep ourselves honest in that sense.

"Fifth is where we need to be.

"If we can get an edge on Williams we will go for it, but as long as we hold fifth it's a good season."