Yeongam (South Korea), Oct 6 (IANS) Both Force Indias retired from the Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix, failing to score points at the Korea International Circuit here Sunday.
While Paul di Resta crashed out of the race in the 25th lap, German driver Adrian Sutil retired in the 50th lap with collision damage.
“I was quite unlucky on the first lap because after (Felipe) Massa spun, everybody headed for the inside and somebody hit me on the side of my front wing. The damage was not too bad but I still had to pit for a new one. As the race went on I was able to fight back quite well and after the safety car I was in P12 and not planning to pit again,” said Sutil, who is 12th in the drivers’ standings with 26 points.
“At the restart, I lost the rear of the car under braking for turn three. I really don’t know why because I was not braking late and the car just snapped. I hit Webber so I apologise for ending his race. It’s a disappointing end to the race because I believe there was still a chance of a point,” added the German, who received a drive through penalty for speeding in the pit lane and was also involved in an incident with Mark Webber, crashing him out.
Di Resta’s race, however, had ended with 30 more laps to go.
“I have to hold my hands up and apologise to the team. Maybe I took a little bit too much kerb and that sent me off the track. The way we’ve set the car up means it has been quite edgy and difficult to drive and that’s what has caught me out today, although whether it has cost us points is hard to say,” said the Briton, who has now gone six races without a point.
“The performance in the race was not where we wanted it to be and the front tyres were wearing out too quickly. So we need to have a rethink ahead of Suzuka and go there determined to have a clean race,” said di Resta, who is 10th with 36 points in the standings.
Force India is sixth with 62 points in the constructors’ standings.