Vijay Mallya hails 'remarkable' Force India performances

Adrian Sutil secured a season-best sixth place in the German Grand Prix, and that was followed by team-mate Paul di Resta finishing in seventh position in Hungary last weekend.

The results allowed Force India to close the gap to sixth-placed Sauber to nine points.

Mallya admitted he has been delighted with his team's progress.

"It's the result that counts. I'm very encouraged and very happy," said Mallya on Force India's website.

"Development work through the season is obviously paying off. The car is getting better and more competitive and easier to drive. The drivers are highly motivated and clearly they are putting in their very best. In Germany it was Adrian, and in Hungary, Paul."

He added: "We had a slow start to the season, because I think the first few flyaway races were just an extension of our development programme. But once we got going from the European season onwards, particularly from Monaco, we've improved almost every race.

"These last few races, where we have qualified in Q3, say it all. To be in the top 10 in such a fiercely competitive field is quite remarkable, and quite satisfying."

Mallya also believes the nature of the Spa and Monza circuits should mean Force India will continue performing strongly in the upcoming races.

"The car is going to be quick, I think. If you look at the sector maximum speeds in the race in Hungary, in S1 Adrian was the quickest, and in S3, Paul was the quickest," he said.

"So this car has pace. But it also has good downforce to handle the corners as well. I'll be looking forward to Spa, and hopefully a strong showing."

"It was an absolutely fantastic moment to see the car in pole position in 2009 and Giancarlo Fisichella on the podium. But that car could only go very fast in a straight line, and pretty much didn't do very much else! Now it's doing everything that's asked of it, irrespective of the track. I think that's a better position to be in."