Force India launches VJM-04

New Delhi, Feb 8 (PTI) Force India has launched its 2011car, the VJM-04, which will carry the hopes of Adrian Sutil,British rookie Paul di Resta and test driver Nico Hulkenbergin the coming Formula One season.

The team finished seventh in the constructors standingsin 2010 �- its best-ever finish -- and chairman and teamprincipal Vijay Mallya is expecting even better results in2011.

"This year there is even more to be optimistic about.

We''ve got three race drivers who are hungry to take the nextsteps in their careers, whether that be points, podiums orwins.

"We have an experienced technical team that has theingenuity, flexibility and drive to adapt to the new wave ofrule changes, and we also have the tools and resources in ourpartnerships with McLaren Applied Technologies andMercedes-Benz High Performance Engines to aim even higher,"Mallya said.

The VJM-04 will hit the track for the first time in thesecond pre-season test on Thursday after the team opted toevaluate the new Pirelli tyres on last year''s chassis at thefirst testing in Valencia.

"I''m genuinely excited about the 2011 season. I justmissed out on the top 10 last year in the drivers'' standings �I''m pretty hopeful I can get in there this season. Theprogress the team has shown over the past two years has beenvery impressive and what I''ve seen in the factory and at thewind tunnel over the past weeks indicates that the rate willcontinue this year," said Sutil.

"I feel very good and confident, the team and I know eachother very well and we know how to get the most from eachother," he added.

Di Resta, however, doesn''t have any targets.

"I don''t want to say exact targets on record as there areso many factors that can come into play. What I want to do isto have a positive approach, finish, be consistent andcontribute strongly to the team''s overall performance," diResta said.