Mid-Season Recap: Force India locked into fourth

A full 60 points clear of closest rivals Williams… and 83 behind Red Bull, Force India have enjoyed a successful, if lonely start to 2017.

Finishing in the points at every race bar Monaco, the team has been a model of consistency, with a best result of fourth in Barcelona, thanks to both another all-round competitive chassis and two drivers who have each impressed.

If there’s been any negative so far this year, it’s the ongoing legal drama surrounding owner Vijay Mallya, but as of yet, that’s yet to have any impact on the team’s performance.

Now in his fourth year with Force India, Perez has continued to be a valuable asset to the team far beyond his not-insignificant financial backing. Leading teammate Esteban Ocon by nine points in the driver’s standings, he has also dominated the Frenchman in the head-to-head, leading 9-2 in qualifying, and 8-2 in races. Still, while there are no doubts about his pace, he hasn’t exactly been a model employee for his team, with his stubborness at the Canadian Grand Prix costing his team a potential podium.

Rating: 7.9/10

Despite the nine races under his belt with Manor in 2016, many view 2017 as a continuation of his rookie season for Ocon, and with that in mind it’s hard not to be impressed. Yes, Sergio Perez has been the faster driver, but Ocon has nonetheless proved a worthy adversary, especially in races. Of course he hasn’t been without his own low-points, but overall there’s been no reason to doubt the faith placed in him by Toto Wolff and Mercedes, and he’ll only continue to improve.

Rating: 8/10

Well over half-way to eclipsing their 173 point total from last year, it’s hard to classify 2017 so far as anything other than a success for Force India. If there’s any criticism to be levelled, it’s that the prospect of a civil war between Perez and Ocon continues to brew, and that’s something they’ll have to address. Regardless, they’re almost certainly locked into the 4-spot already, and that’s a testament to their own success as much as it is to the dominance of the big three, although it would be nice to see their efforts rewarded with at least one podium.

Rating: 9/10