Sutil confident of regular point finishes

Force India will use Mercedes engines this year and will also receive technical assistance from the McLaren team.

The Silverstone-based squad failed to score any points last year, but Sutil is confident the new deals will help them be in the top 10 often.

"I think it will be a great help and a big step," Sutil told his team's official website. "Maybe we can really go into the top 10 and finish a few races in the points.

"That would be a good step for next year. I'm confident."

The German also believes he is a stronger driver now, as he enters his third full season in Formula One.

"I think with the new regulations I had to adapt my driving style," he added. "Last year I was doing really well in qualifying, my laps were always quite strong.

"This year it was a new situation, without traction control, and it took a little while. But now I'm on the same level as last year, or a little bit stronger.

"I'm more experienced now, and I had a very good teammate in Giancarlo, and I could learn quite a lot from him, with all the data. This was good, and also mentally I'm much better now. After two years of F1 you feel better, your self confidence is higher."