Force India driver Giancarlo Fisichella enjoyed an amazing race at the recent British Grand Prix where he finished in tenth place, and not because of other racers dropping out in front him, but on pure merit. In fact he crossed the line just 1.9s behind Kimi Raikkonen, who took the final points finish in eighth place.

Giancarlo also set the 10th fastest lap of the race, just 0.004s behind the best time of Jarno Trulli, who finished seventh. Had his final qualifying effort not been aborted by the red flag, which ironically was caused by his teammate, Giancarlo would have started further up the grid and perhaps done even better.

Speaking to the team’s official website, Fisi talked about his weekend at the famous Silverstone circuit....

Silverstone was an amazing race for you. How was it from where you were sitting?

I enjoyed the race, especially the start! The first two laps after the start I was really focussed, really aggressive. In Turn 2 I overtook a couple of cars, and I passed one of the Renaults on the outside of Stowe. Then he touched me and damaged my rear wheel a little bit. Then I overtook Kubica on the start/finish line, then Heidfeld and one of the Renaults in Stowe. I was just behind them and they had a little moment and I went inside and overtook both of them together! 

After that you were able to keep in touch with the cars ahead, while Heidfeld held up everyone behind you.

I was really impressed by my pace compared to all the people in front of me, and the people behind me. I was a second quicker than Heidfeld and I was keeping the pace of the Toyota [Glock], the Ferrari [Massa], and even the Brawn [Button]. So it was quite impressive, the car has made a big step forward. 

And you were heavier than lots of the cars ahead of you.

I was heavy on the fuel, maybe two or three laps more than them. In the pit stop I made another couple of places, and then I lost it again with Glock just by half a second at the last stop. But we must be pleased because it was a fantastic race – that was the maximum we could achieve. In Monaco we could have scored points, but our pace was still far away from all the others. In Silverstone it was quite good, it was consistent. It’s very encouraging for the next races. I’m really happy about it. 

You were even third when you came in for your first stop!

For one lap! It was a good day, considering the starting position was 16th because of the red flag yesterday. We should have got both cars into Q2 and we could have managed maybe 12th or 13th in qualifying. Starting there, we could have scored points, because at the end I was quicker than Kimi, and I was quicker than Trulli. 

When you have a quick car do you feel that you get more out of yourself?

Yes, I was very motivated. I was comfortable because the car was consistent. I’m usually fighting for 17th or 18th position, and it’s a bit boring and a bit frustrating. But I really enjoyed this. 

Where is the car better with the new package?

We have better grip, and more stability. I’m more comfortable in the car. But the main thing is it’s better in high speed corners. 

What about the Nurburgring? Ten years ago you nearly won there with Benetton in the rain.

It was wet, but I was still on dry tyres. I was flying there and very comfortable, and then I spun. I lost the headrest and I lost control. I hope the car will be good there again. I’m not saying that we will score points, but in Silverstone I finished 10th, which wasn’t easy starting from 16th. So anything is possible. Let’s see!