Force India to push for fifth place with the VJM04

The team, who are based in Silverstone in England, finished seventh in the Constructors' Championship last season, and Force India's CEO Otmar Szafnauer has set the team the target of clinching fifth place in the championship for 2011.

"Last year we finished a strong seventh - and we were sixth for most of the season," Szafnauer said during the launch of their 2011 car. "We always want to improve and our objectives this year are to finish higher than last year. So we are targeting fifth place in the Championship - and in order to do that we have to score points from the beginning and then all the way through to the end. To do that, we need strong development during the year - and if all goes well, then perhaps even a podium finish or two is an aim."

Force India acknowledges their disadvantages compared to other teams in terms of finances and resources, but are aiming to battle and stay competitive through other innovative ways. "We probably have half the personnel of some of the other bigger teams, but we know that is where we are," Szafnauer said. "We have honed our processes and procedures. We know what we have to do and we go out and do it. We punch above our weight, and our target is to do so even more. It is difficult in the midfield, and the more we move up the more difficult it becomes. But we are up for the challenge. We think fifth in an achievable objective and target - and hopefully we can get podium finishes if all goes well."

Chairman and team boss Dr. Vijay Mallya echoed the team's optimism, saying, "2010 was an exceptional year for the team, 68 points overall, seventh in the championship with only teams who had previously won world titles ahead of us, which demonstrated we are still on target to achieve our goals. And this year there is even more to be optimistic about. We've got three race drivers that are hungry to take the next steps in their careers, whether that be points, podiums or wins. We have an experienced technical team that have the ingenuity, flexibility and drive to adapt to the new wave of rule changes, and we also have the tools and resources in our partnerships with McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines to aim even higher. Not to mention the very special event, and one that I personally can't wait for, the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. What better place would there be to reach some of those aims than on our home soil?"

Force India have signed on British driver Paul di Resta to partner German Adrian Sutil for 2011, with ex-Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg joining as reserve driver, and all three have weighed in with their comments and thoughts for the new season.

Adrian Sutil said,"I'm genuinely excited about the 2011 season. I just missed out on the top 10 last year in the drivers' standings - I'm pretty hopeful I can get in there this season! The progress the team has shown over the past two years has been very impressive and what I've seen in the factory and at the wind tunnel over the past weeks indicates that the rate will continue this year. I feel very good and confident; the team and I know each other very well and we know how to get the most from each other."

Paul di Resta commented, "I don't want to say exact targets on record as there are so many factors that can come into play. What I do want to do is to have a positive approach, finish, be consistent and contribute strongly to the team's overall performance.We've got high aims of finishing in a good constructors' championship position and I know that I've got to play my part in this."

Nico Hülkenberg added, "I'm really looking forward to this season and working with the team. We still need some time to fit together perfectly, but the start was very promising and finding each other will not take too long. I can't wait to sit in the car and work with the team again."