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Mallya: Team Made Me Walk with My Head Held High

Force India's owner Vijay Mallya revealed he can now walk through the F1 paddock with his head held high, following the good development work put in by his outfit during the past few weeks.

The implementation of an interim version of their double diffuser ahead of the Bahrain race 2 weekends ago has turned Force India in only the second team to react to the diffuser verdict (following Renault, in China), something that could only please the Indian billionaire.

Although Force India were not able to turn that into something as palpable as manufacturers' points, Mallya is proud that his team has proven to their fellow competitors that even if with limited resources, they are in Formula One to race.

We’ve shown we can react quickly. I think we can walk down the paddock with our heads held high, without being apologetic for anything. We’re a small team, we have limited resources, and within what we have I think we have a highly motivated bunch of guys who are now committed, professional and all charged up. I think we’re showing to the world that we can race, and race on a limited budget,” said Mallya in a preview for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Preparing for their European debut this weekend, Force India have confirmed the introduction of a more developed rear diffuser, along with other aerodynamic features specially developed for the Catalonian track.

We have another update coming in Barcelona, more particularly an improved version of this interim diffuser, and some further aero upgrades,” added Mallya, who also made it very clear that his team should keep their feet on the ground ahead of the upcoming race.

I’m not naive enough to believe that other teams aren’t improving, I’m sure everybody is going hammer and tongs trying to find better performance. But we’re there and we’re racing, and it’s so competitive. In the midfield everything is separated by hundredths now, and to be in the hunt is quite an impressive achievement,” concluded the Indian official.
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