Sahara Force India Formula One driver Adrian Sutil with his girlfriend Jennifer Becks (left) at the TOI office in New Delhi on Monday.
With just days to go before the third Indian Grand Prix, Sahara Force India drivers Paul Di Resta and Adrian Sutil were invited to TOI to play sports guest editors.
They took to the role with aplomb, providing an insightful look into the challenges and rewards of F1 and the ever-changing world of motorsport. Excerpts from a conversation...
For Force India, how different is the Indian GP from the others?
Adrian Sutil: There is more support, which means more pressure. It's a track I like. I had a good racing weekend a couple of years back. There are, of course, a lot of people here and a lot of people to meet. It's good to see so many fans getting emotional and pushing you on.
The Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida is in many ways similar to the one in South Korea. Do you think the Indian GP will be a tough one for the team?
Paul Di Resta: Fortunately or unfortunately, in the last few GPs we have identified a lot of weaknesses in the car. We have lasted the race distance more. Our philosophy was a bit different in Korea. Slowly but surely, we have gone back to basics. The car has been predictable and more comfortable to drive, which gives you more confidence.
Do you think tyre management and composition are playing too big a role in how F1 race results are playing out?
AS: Definitely. It's both good and bad. The tyres are not always enjoyable after three laps; it's a different kind of racing. It's not the way we would drive. It makes the race more exciting but for driving satisfaction a better tyre will be better.
PDR: For the team's situation, it is not fair to blame the tyre alone. We are one of the teams most affected, along with Ferrari and Lotus. Hopefully next year's car should be groundbreaking. The evolution of the rules will mean we can be a much stronger team.
How frustrating is it for the drivers when external factors like tyres dominate performance?
AS: The performance of the car is very important. If the car is not fast you can't show how fast you are. One small mistake can ruin the race. It is a big challenge to get it all right. It can be frustrating.
Paul, you've said before that it's difficult to maintain one's F1 reputation...
PDR: At the moment, it's a very difficult job. We arrive at a GP weekend and we do anexceptional job but only take back one point home. If we had done that in the first 7-8 races of the season, we could have been on the podium or taken a fourth place, at least. In the last race at Suzuka, we had a strong weekend from Saturday to Sunday but we were still seven seconds away from a point. You have to hope, for your reputation, that people look beyond all of that and see how you have performed before. Sometimes you don't have the tools to take the best out of the car.
Considering that F1 isn't a level-playing field, in terms of budget or engineering, how hard is it to keep motivating yourselves to race against the top teams?
AS: It is a two-class championship - top teams and private teams. The latter are driving for a few points while the others are sharing the wins. It's very difficult. In future something has to change in F1. Teams are making a lot of money at the top while others are struggling to survive. There have been differences in the cars - it has always been like that. More teams should be able to make money from F1.
What is the way out?
AS: There is a cap on money. They have been cutting down costs but still there is a big gap. It is not all about the money, though.
Don't the two of you want to drive a Red Bull or a Ferrari?
AS: It would definitely be nice, but what would happen if all of us were driving a Red Bull? The last of the Red Bulls would still be complaining! In Formula 3 - where everything is same - there are still differences in performance. Teams with bigger budgets and better (technological) setup have the advantage. It's a bit of a money game.
Would Sebastian Vettel have won so many championships in any other car?
AS: We don't know. We know Paul has beaten Vettel in another championship (European F3 Championship) and that's all we know.
So a right car can determine a driver's career?
AS: It is definitely helpful if you are in the right car at the right time. Like Lewis Hamilton came into McLaren at a very good time back in 2008, in a different car. If he came into the team this year his career might have been different. It's become what I call an engineering competition.
How is life in the F1 bubble? Is it a hard life, racing week to week, having to stay focused always?
PDR: It's tiring. It's not a glamorous life like people think. You are here to do a job, just like people who go out of their country on business. They are not there to see the sights.
How do you relax and train during the off-season?
AS: I try to do something different. We have off-season only in December and January. We only get about one month away from the sport. I try to avoid any contact with racing. It's nice to live a normal life sometimes. I live in Switzerland in the mountains, it's nice to relax.
Paul, how difficult is it for you to switch off, considering you come from a motor-racing family?
PDR: Motor-racing is the topic of the house. The off-season is getting shorter and when you do get away, it has to be with the right people.
The '70s and '80s were different times. Do you think the life of a F1 driver is asexciting as it has been pictured in the Hollywood movie 'Rush'?
AS: I would have always enjoyed being a driver...whether it was the '90s, '80s, '70s or '60s. It's just different times. They were different characters. It is difficult now to have a private life. Social media controls our lives. Everywhere we go, there is a picture. That was not the case back then, so drivers could have a life. They could do what they wanted. If we live the life they led, the newspapers would be standing outside our house every day.
Do you think the sport still allows room for quirky characters, room for personalities like it did back them?
PDR: Sometimes it's the media that restricts us.
AS: We are representing a brand, a company. We have a responsibility, a duty. If you say something wrong or have views on something, you get questioned on it many, many times. There is room for characters but it is difficult.
Do you think F1 is safer now than it was in the '70s and '80s?
AS: Safety standards are higher. You can risk more. At some circuits you have big run-off areas, you can be more aggressive. In the past it was dangerous, with circuits like Nurburgring, where there was no run-off area and people got hurt.
Is the safety factor always at the back of a driver's mind?
PDR: I lost a friend in Australia in a road accident. Driving on the roads can be much more dangerous than on the track. In fact, it is more dangerous.
AS: I think touring cars are more dangerous that F1 race cars. There is always the danger that something can go wrong. The risk is much lower now, I've never experienced something like that. I've always managed to come out of a car in one piece.
What was your first impression of India?
PDR: It is a happy place. People are friendly and welcoming. You can see the enthusiasm for sport. Getting attention away from cricket is difficult, though. We haven't spent enough time here to know the culture.
And the traffic?
AS: It is crazy and out-of-control, isn't it? That was my first reaction. I was like 'Oh my god, what chaos!' Sometimes a half-hour journey can turn into two hours because of the traffic.
Tell us a bit about your diet restrictions...you obviously don't drink coffee (both have left their coffee untouched)...
AS: We drink coffee but it's a little late in the day now. I won't be able to sleep. You have to be disciplined. Every little thing is important. There are 22 drivers in F1. Everyone is fit, everyone is talented. You need to do that something extra to win. Training and recovery is very important. I keep things interesting; work with different trainers every year. I keep tabs on my diet. Everything within limits is good. If I want chocolate I eat it but I have a little and then throw the rest. Or maybe not have any chocolate for two weeks.
They took to the role with aplomb, providing an insightful look into the challenges and rewards of F1 and the ever-changing world of motorsport. Excerpts from a conversation...
For Force India, how different is the Indian GP from the others?
Adrian Sutil: There is more support, which means more pressure. It's a track I like. I had a good racing weekend a couple of years back. There are, of course, a lot of people here and a lot of people to meet. It's good to see so many fans getting emotional and pushing you on.
The Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida is in many ways similar to the one in South Korea. Do you think the Indian GP will be a tough one for the team?
Paul Di Resta: Fortunately or unfortunately, in the last few GPs we have identified a lot of weaknesses in the car. We have lasted the race distance more. Our philosophy was a bit different in Korea. Slowly but surely, we have gone back to basics. The car has been predictable and more comfortable to drive, which gives you more confidence.
Do you think tyre management and composition are playing too big a role in how F1 race results are playing out?
AS: Definitely. It's both good and bad. The tyres are not always enjoyable after three laps; it's a different kind of racing. It's not the way we would drive. It makes the race more exciting but for driving satisfaction a better tyre will be better.
PDR: For the team's situation, it is not fair to blame the tyre alone. We are one of the teams most affected, along with Ferrari and Lotus. Hopefully next year's car should be groundbreaking. The evolution of the rules will mean we can be a much stronger team.
How frustrating is it for the drivers when external factors like tyres dominate performance?
AS: The performance of the car is very important. If the car is not fast you can't show how fast you are. One small mistake can ruin the race. It is a big challenge to get it all right. It can be frustrating.
Paul, you've said before that it's difficult to maintain one's F1 reputation...
PDR: At the moment, it's a very difficult job. We arrive at a GP weekend and we do anexceptional job but only take back one point home. If we had done that in the first 7-8 races of the season, we could have been on the podium or taken a fourth place, at least. In the last race at Suzuka, we had a strong weekend from Saturday to Sunday but we were still seven seconds away from a point. You have to hope, for your reputation, that people look beyond all of that and see how you have performed before. Sometimes you don't have the tools to take the best out of the car.
Considering that F1 isn't a level-playing field, in terms of budget or engineering, how hard is it to keep motivating yourselves to race against the top teams?
AS: It is a two-class championship - top teams and private teams. The latter are driving for a few points while the others are sharing the wins. It's very difficult. In future something has to change in F1. Teams are making a lot of money at the top while others are struggling to survive. There have been differences in the cars - it has always been like that. More teams should be able to make money from F1.
What is the way out?
AS: There is a cap on money. They have been cutting down costs but still there is a big gap. It is not all about the money, though.
Don't the two of you want to drive a Red Bull or a Ferrari?
AS: It would definitely be nice, but what would happen if all of us were driving a Red Bull? The last of the Red Bulls would still be complaining! In Formula 3 - where everything is same - there are still differences in performance. Teams with bigger budgets and better (technological) setup have the advantage. It's a bit of a money game.
Would Sebastian Vettel have won so many championships in any other car?
AS: We don't know. We know Paul has beaten Vettel in another championship (European F3 Championship) and that's all we know.
So a right car can determine a driver's career?
AS: It is definitely helpful if you are in the right car at the right time. Like Lewis Hamilton came into McLaren at a very good time back in 2008, in a different car. If he came into the team this year his career might have been different. It's become what I call an engineering competition.
How is life in the F1 bubble? Is it a hard life, racing week to week, having to stay focused always?
PDR: It's tiring. It's not a glamorous life like people think. You are here to do a job, just like people who go out of their country on business. They are not there to see the sights.
How do you relax and train during the off-season?
AS: I try to do something different. We have off-season only in December and January. We only get about one month away from the sport. I try to avoid any contact with racing. It's nice to live a normal life sometimes. I live in Switzerland in the mountains, it's nice to relax.
Paul, how difficult is it for you to switch off, considering you come from a motor-racing family?
PDR: Motor-racing is the topic of the house. The off-season is getting shorter and when you do get away, it has to be with the right people.
The '70s and '80s were different times. Do you think the life of a F1 driver is asexciting as it has been pictured in the Hollywood movie 'Rush'?
AS: I would have always enjoyed being a driver...whether it was the '90s, '80s, '70s or '60s. It's just different times. They were different characters. It is difficult now to have a private life. Social media controls our lives. Everywhere we go, there is a picture. That was not the case back then, so drivers could have a life. They could do what they wanted. If we live the life they led, the newspapers would be standing outside our house every day.
Do you think the sport still allows room for quirky characters, room for personalities like it did back them?
PDR: Sometimes it's the media that restricts us.
AS: We are representing a brand, a company. We have a responsibility, a duty. If you say something wrong or have views on something, you get questioned on it many, many times. There is room for characters but it is difficult.
Do you think F1 is safer now than it was in the '70s and '80s?
AS: Safety standards are higher. You can risk more. At some circuits you have big run-off areas, you can be more aggressive. In the past it was dangerous, with circuits like Nurburgring, where there was no run-off area and people got hurt.
Is the safety factor always at the back of a driver's mind?
PDR: I lost a friend in Australia in a road accident. Driving on the roads can be much more dangerous than on the track. In fact, it is more dangerous.
AS: I think touring cars are more dangerous that F1 race cars. There is always the danger that something can go wrong. The risk is much lower now, I've never experienced something like that. I've always managed to come out of a car in one piece.
What was your first impression of India?
PDR: It is a happy place. People are friendly and welcoming. You can see the enthusiasm for sport. Getting attention away from cricket is difficult, though. We haven't spent enough time here to know the culture.
And the traffic?
AS: It is crazy and out-of-control, isn't it? That was my first reaction. I was like 'Oh my god, what chaos!' Sometimes a half-hour journey can turn into two hours because of the traffic.
Tell us a bit about your diet restrictions...you obviously don't drink coffee (both have left their coffee untouched)...
AS: We drink coffee but it's a little late in the day now. I won't be able to sleep. You have to be disciplined. Every little thing is important. There are 22 drivers in F1. Everyone is fit, everyone is talented. You need to do that something extra to win. Training and recovery is very important. I keep things interesting; work with different trainers every year. I keep tabs on my diet. Everything within limits is good. If I want chocolate I eat it but I have a little and then throw the rest. Or maybe not have any chocolate for two weeks.
It's a difficult sport, isn't it, in the sense that you can do everything that is humanly possible, and your rivals have been doing the same thing...
AS: Yes, that's the challenge. Everyone is working flat out. It's hard for teams like us to catch up to the big teams because they have those many more people working for them. Everyone's working 24/7.
F1 drivers drive for a team. How much do they drive as a team?
AS: There's always competition. Your teammate is the first driver to beat. It's nice to have this competition but importantly you should respect each other. At some point in the season where the team needs points for the Constructors Championship and if you have two good drivers intelligent enough to understand the situation, they will drive for the team. We have to protect our sixth position. We try not to take points off each other.
What was your first reaction when you heard that Ferrari had signed on Kimi Raikkonen to partner alongside Fernando Alonso for 2014?
AS: Interesting.
PDR: I didn't think anything. I don't care. You have to respect all the drivers on the grid. Why should this be any different? I think you want them to start fighting but it might be the best decision or it might be a disaster. There're already a few signs which hint at fireworks.
AS: I think there's no No. 1 or No. 2 anymore. That makes it interesting. Like it was in 2007 when Raikkonen and Massa at Ferrari were driving for the championship. At Ferrari there's normally a 1 and 2. What will happen now, who knows?
So do you think Red Bull have gone the right way, with a No. 1 and No. 2 driver setup?
PDR: Who's to say Ricciardo won't be better? I guarantee you when qualifying in Melbourne comes around, he won't care about anything else but his race. He'll be out there to do one thing.
Is it easy to have friends in F1?
PDR: Yeah. (silence) It depends. Some drivers are different from others. We are all doing the same thing, we all want the same thing. Egos are sometimes different.
Who are your racing heroes? Or heroes in general?
AS: None in particular.
PDR: Jim Clark (British Formula One driver who won two World Championships in 1963 and 1965). I have a lot of respect for Roger Federer.
How do you motivate yourself after a bad race?
AS: It depends. A row of bad races will see your motivation levels drop and frustration levels rise. The pressure builds over the season. We cope with it.
PDR: It's too personal.
With the line-up at Force India not being announced till December at least, with four more races to go, does it play on your mind that every race counts?
PDR: I don't think that's really the case with me and Adrian for next year. I think the team knows us well enough. They know that if they give us the tools we can deliver. We're going through a bad time at the moment and unfortunately people will judge you on that. If you look back till race eight, we had some good results. We would have been in a more comfortable spot if we had continued in that direction but the management took a call to focus on 2014. So you do your job and try to keep your reputation intact.
How much attention do you pay to other teams and what they're doing?
AS: During a race weekend for sure, if other cars are driving a different line. You have to do that to see if you can improve but there's not much time to do anything major. After every race, you can tinker here and there.
Sauber has made some rapid improvements recently. What do you put that down to?
PDR: It's the car. Esteban Gutierrez finished one behind Hulkenberg after starting six places behind him. That just shows where the car is at the moment. It's in front of the McLaren at the moment. We should be slightly worried because they can overtake us in the Constructors'. Other teams could be thinking the same thing.
Do you take out time from your schedule especially during the racing season where you keep all talk of F1 at bay?
PDR: The two-week shutdown, which is probably the best time of the year. The server shuts down (laughs). At other times, there are emails. Boxing Day, or before Christmas... even on New Year's Day you're working. During the shutdown, the factory shuts. Two weeks later everyone comes back. You come back recharged.
What's the most tiring thing about a F1 driver's life?
AS: Travel.
PDR: Airports. Security stuff.
Interviews?
AS: They're not that bad. The travelling is tiring. I felt the difference last year. I didn't travel anywhere last year.
2014 is expected to be worse..
AS: Yes that calendar has 22 races on it. More racing but not more salary (laughs).
PDR: More bonus but..(looks at AS)
AS: Yes, but if only the car is fast, isn't it?
Has all this talk of bulkier drivers facing a tough time with the upcoming rules and restrictions making you jittery? Have you consciously tried to lose weight?
PDR: For the last 15 years! Next year it would be nice if the FIA made it a more level-playing field. For me I would rather be a kilo or two heavier and be fit. Your body is always on the edge. The smaller guys don't have that much of a problem. We're already at a disadvantage because of our height. The smaller guys weigh less. It's not something we can change.
When you guys have had a good race, how do you reward yourself?
AS: When you cross the finish line, that is the reward. It feels great. If it's a bad result then there's a problem. You need to make yourself feel better and you look to your girlfriend or people around you to cheer you up. Maybe have ice cream. (Laughs) It's easy to cope with the good stuff.
PDR: The reward is enjoying the moment with your friends and family, with people who have helped you succeed. It helps you focus on the next year quicker. It's nice to talk about it. The bad races take a lot of your life. The immediate reaction is to get back into the car and change people's opinion.
Do you think you would've been in a healthier position this year if you'd done more development?
PDR: That's the thing. This year we were on for a record breaker till race 8. Things can very quickly change. That's why one must never underestimate your rivals. One can certainly hope, if I'm in the car that the rewards will be next year considering what we've sacrificed this year.
AS: If we had maintained our performance of the earlier part of the year, we would have been fifth.
KNOW THE STARS
Paul Di Resta
1. Sport is part of his life. Cousin to racing drivers IndyCar and Indy500 champion Dario and sports car driver Marino Franchitti while step-father, Dougie McCracken, who died in 2011, was a Scottish footballer
2. His octogenarian grandfather, Felice, moved to Scotland from the village of Corigliano (an hour's drive north of Naples) during his mid-twenties
3. Won European F3 crown at his second attempt in 2006, beating teammate Sebastian Vettel
Adrian Sutil
1. Son of professional musicians Monika (a German) and Jorge (an Uruguayan), he has developed into a talented pianist as well
2. Headed to motorsports career only at the age of 14 when he took up karting
3. Has a passion for collecting classic fountain pens - 'Mont Blanc and other special edition pieces' - with the favourite one called 'Taj Mahal'
Sahara Force India: Season so far...
Points: 62 I Position: 6th
Driver Standings: Paul Di Resta 11th (36 points); Adrian Sutil 12th (26 points)
High points: In the first 8 races of the season (before the British Grand Prix), Force India managed to score 59 points
Australian GP: 10 points
(Adrian Sutil 7th, Paul Di Resta 8th)
Bahrain GP: 4 points
(Di Resta 8th)
Spanish GP: 12 points
(Di Resta 4th)
Turkish GP: 6 points
(Di Resta 7th)
Monaco GP: 12 points
(Sutil 5th, Di Resta 9th)
Canadian GP: 7 points
(Di Resta 7th, Sutil 10th)
French GP: 8 points
(Sutil 7th, Di Resta 9th)
Low points: Post British GP, the team has only managed three points. Malaysian GP was the only race in which there was a double Force India retiremen
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