Force India failed to score for the fourth time in six races for reason not entirely within their control at Suzuka.
That allowed Williams to move within two points of them in the constructors’ championship.
| Adrian Sutil | Vitantonio Liuzzi | |
| Qualifying position | 15 | 17 |
| Qualifying time comparison (Q2) | 1’32.659 (-0.495) | 1’33.154 |
| Race position | ||
| Average race lap | 1’45.423 | |
| Laps | 44/53 | 0/53 |
| Pit stops | 1 | 0 |
Open lap times interactive chart in new window
Adrian Sutil
Force India’s qualifying troubles remained in Suzuka and Sutil could only manage 15th on the grid.
He was on course for a points finish and on the tail of Rubens Barrichello before an oil leak caused a high-speed spin at 130R. He retired in the pits.
Compare Adrian Sutil’s form against his team mate in 2010
Vitantonio Liuzzi
Liuzzi didn’t run the new floor in first practice, unlike Sutil, but even when they both had it in second practice he was still 1.5 seconds slower than his team mate. Lined up 17th on the grid, two places behind Sutil.
He made a good start but was taken out at the first corner by Felipe Massa. Liuzzi has completed just one racing lap in the last two Grands Prix.
Compare Vitantonio Liuzzi’s form against his team mate in 2010
2010 Japanese Grand Prix
codesurge (@codesurge)
11th October 2010, 11:48
I don’t think Sutil endeared himself to his peers by spraying oil all over the racing line. I was quite surprised that nobody else spun as a result of his actions.
macahan
11th October 2010, 13:25
He lost a lot of respect from me by proceding to continue drive down the track and at parts on the race line with a car billowing with smoke and that almost spun once the smoke had started. Very deplorable, he been in F1 long enough to know to pull over with a engine that is smoking. Smoke = oil or other fluid hitting hot components and burning up. Last thing you wan tto do is put oil down on the track.
Almost deserves a penalty for endangering your fellow drivers.
Mike
12th October 2010, 5:28
I don’t agree, Although I think for the stewards to be consistent he should have gotten a penalty, I don’t think that would be right.
They have flags to warm other drivers about oil on the track, and forcing drivers to stop rather than try and return to the pits means there is no chance of them returning to the track later.
codesurge (@codesurge)
12th October 2010, 10:37
Sure, that means no chance of them returning after repairs, but there is a precedence for this as the FIA already fines drivers and teams for continuing to drive a damaged car. See Vettel in Australia ’09.
Sutil’s case is compounded by the fact that the oil spill he left behind (on the racing line no less) is a very real safety risk to the other drivers on track.
Mr draw
13th October 2010, 19:21
Yeah, i’d love to see Fattle finish in a heavily damaged car. ;)
Griggs
11th October 2010, 12:15
Liuzzi was extremely unlucky at the start, Massa absolutely destroyed his car.
Massa also damaged Liuzzi’s car at the start in Canada when Liuzzi had qualified really well.
Maybe Massa wants his FI seat? :D
BasCB (@bascb)
11th October 2010, 12:29
I am sure, that if Massa would offer Tonio that seat, he would grab it immediately.
M.M.C (@mmc)
13th October 2010, 23:04
Liuzzi admitted in his ESPN Blog, that he one day hopes to drive for McLaren…
All I can say, is dream on. >.>
Icthyes (@icthyes)
11th October 2010, 15:03
The F1 equivalent of giving someone you fancy a punch on the arm!
Burnout
11th October 2010, 20:58
What would you call Vettel & Button at Spa then?
Mike
12th October 2010, 5:49
Love?
(This comment isn’t too short!)
David-A (@david-a)
11th October 2010, 21:43
In Canada Liuzzi qualified well, then foolishly hit the side of Massa.
In Japan Massa qualified badly, then foolishly hit the side of Liuzzi.