Sutil positive despite disrupted session

"The rain in the second session was not ideal, particularly as I had sat out the first session, but we did what we could and I think overall the findings were very positive," said Sutil, who believes his team can fight for a position in the top five after a strong Bahrain GP.

"At the start of the session we did some running with the harder tyre compound and then with the softer. We also tried out the intermediate tyre when the circuit was wetter. Everything seems to be working OK and we could get all the information we wanted today.

"I still have a good feeling about this weekend and I would like to better the result we had in Bahrain," added the German, seventh fastest in the afternoon.

Team-mate Tonio Liuzzi completed a promising start to the weekend for Force India by posting the eighth quickest time despite being hit by traffic on his flying laps.

"Today was OK and the car was responding pretty well to the changes we made over the sessions," Liuzzi said. "I was quite happy with the balance. The conditions were not ideal as in the first session there were the two red flags in quite quick succession and then the weather didn't help in the second practice.

"Unfortunately then there was always traffic as there were people slowing down and backing off to try and get some space so I didn't get a free lap. It was like people were on a Sunday drive in some places. Overall though a good day to start the weekend on and I think we are looking good for tomorrow."