Vijay Mallya: First and foremost, because in the last 18 months a lot of work was put into this team. Success is not something that happens by accident, and it is no miracle. (laughs) So when you ask for three reasons: it is hard work, making the right investments in the right kind of technology, and a more creative design philosophy. We had a pretty strong second half last year and were able to carry that into 2016 and were able to add good steps of development to the situation. The very intense use of the sophisticated Toyota wind tunnel in Cologne was also a piece of the puzzle. Now as we understand the car and the new updates better, we will optimise it even more and hopefully become even stronger for the rest of the season. In terms of further developments we’ve now stopped it for the 2016 car, but already have a 60 percent model of the 2017 car in the wind tunnel. It is the first time in the history of this team that we have a 60 percent model. The 2017 regulations give us the opportunity for a brand new design and a whole different input. This will level the playing field for us.

Q: How tempting was it to sail on the momentum and maintain a higher level of 2016 development - to perhaps eventually outperform Williams?

VM: This was a tough decision indeed. You are always tempted to keep on developing when you are on a high. But you cannot compromise your future. 2017 is a unique opportunity, as it is not a carryover from 2016 and therefore - to be practical - you must devote time and resources to the 2017 car. That’s what we’ve done.



Q: So the car we saw at Silverstone is the end of the line - or are there still bits and pieces up your sleeve?

VM: We brought a new front wing to Silverstone, but we still need to further optimise it. There is some work in progress on the rear wing and the rear suspension - those things will continue to be optimised in the course of the season. We are done with the aerodynamic development in the wind tunnel - that has all now been shifted to the 2017 car.



Q: A Force India was on the front row in Austria - something we’d not seen in many years. But then it all went wrong in the race, with both cars retiring. That must have been a pretty tough afternoon…

VM: It was obviously disappointing to have two DNFs. We just couldn’t manage the tyres and we had some overheating problems with the brakes - and the result of that was unfortunate for us. We have learned from it and moved forward. It will not happen again.



Q: Silverstone was the first Grand Prix that you’ve attended this season. Usually you are sitting at the pit wall - how are you handling this now? How hands-on are you during a race?

VM: I am very involved. I have a ‘mini mission control’ at home. I see everything on my screens that they see on the pit wall, I talk to the pit wall as I have a direct communication link - so I am ‘working from home’ with a virtual pit wall! (laughs) But, of course, the physical experience of a Formula One race cannot be replicated. But now that I am not travelling I can devote more time to the team - which I enjoy.



Q: How much actual influence do you have on the development for 2017?

VM: I am not an engineer, but it is my job to support the technical team to make sure that they get what they need to produce what is hopefully a very competitive car.



Q: Force India are a comfortable P5 in the standings right now. Toro Rosso appear too far behind to be a serious threat, while Williams are 19 points ahead. Are you satisfied with fifth or are you quietly aiming higher?

VM: The target obviously is to catch Williams. Nineteen points ahead should be manageable when you consider what Force India bagged in Silverstone. Of course, a good result in Austria would have blended in perfectly - but we have to focus on what is and not on what could have been. Having said that, we are also not blind to the other side. Toro Rosso is improving. We cannot take them for granted. At some races they’ve come very close and sometimes they’ve finished ahead of us, so we have to be on our toes.



Q: Checo is on a real run lately, while Nico has been a bit unlucky. What do you think is behind that situation?

VM: Well, luck does play some part. Some things that happened to Nico should not have happened - but that’s what you know in hindsight. I am very happy with both my drivers - Nico is every bit as good as Checo.