Force India COO Admits Financial Struggles Hurt Product

Otmar Szafnauer said that Force India F1 is suffering due to pressure on resources.GETTY IMAGES

Force India Formula 1 COO Otmar Szafnauer admitted that the Silverstone team is "losing out in the midfield development race due to pressure on resources," according to Adam Cooper of MOTORSPORT. Drivers Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon "scored valuable points" with seventh- and eighth-place finishes in Germany last weekend. However, a "financial squeeze" has "slowed down the progress of new parts at Force India, and the team has not been able to improve its car at the rate it would like." The strong form of Ferrari customers Haas and Sauber "has put an even sharper focus on Force India's situation." Szafnauer said, "It's a development race. I've always said that that's what it is, and it continues to be so. ... We are suffering, truth be told. If we had more resources, both financial and internal manufacturing, we'd have parts on the car quicker. And in a development race, that hurts you" (MOTORSPORT, 7/23).