Force India's season hasn't got off to the best start according to co-owner and team principal Vijay Mallya, admitting he expected the team to have scored more points from the opening three races.
The team currently sit seventh in the standings with six points – all of which came from Nico Hulkenberg's seventh place at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix – but Mallya believes their car is capable of better results.
"In all honesty we expected more from the start of the season, but for various reasons the cards have not fallen for us," he said.
Mallya isn't however disheartened by their lack of points, drawing comparisons to 2015 when the team endured a similar start to the season but finished on a high.
"It’s worth making a comparison with 2015 because after three races last year we were in a similar position with seven points – one point more than we have this year – and that turned out to be our most successful season ever.
"With eighteen races to go there is a long season ahead and we have plenty of opportunities to turn around our fortunes."
Mallya is hopeful of a better result in Russia ahead of the Spanish GP where the team will introduce its first big upgrade of the season.
"The objective is to be inside the top ten in qualifying and the race," he added. "That’s a realistic goal and we will be disappointed if we don’t come away with some points.
"There is no doubt that we have an inherently quick car. We are working hard to bring an upgrade package to Barcelona: it’s an aero step and further suspension evolutions, which will bring some performance gains.”
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