Nico Hulkenberg says fourth place in the constructors’ standings is still a realistic target for the Force India team, despite a tough start to 2016.
The Silverstone-based outfit is currently seventh in the championship with six points, scored thanks to Hulkenberg’s seventh place at the season opener in Australia.
Force India suffered a difficult race in Bahrain after early pit stops for both Hulkenberg and his team-mate Sergio Perez, finishing 15th and 16th.
"No, I feel it’s still realistic,” when asked in the FIA press conference on Thursday if Force India has changed its 2016 targets. "It’s tough and it's a big challenge but you know our first two race also were compromised.
"In Melbourne we still got away with good points, but the red flag definitely cost us. And obviously Bahrain was a very poor day for us – having a lap one incident and then being offset on strategy and being in traffic, offset with tyre life compared to everybody else made it really difficult.
"Had that not happened for sure we were in a points scoring position and I think we could have challenged for sixth or seventh position again.
"There are good signs. It’s still early day in this season, so I think and I feel there’s still more to come from us."
