Everyone in the Force India formula one team was looking forward to this event. It was being touted as the home grand prix for the force India formula one team, but the qualifying at British Grand Prix 2008 at Silverstone turned out to be another dud.

The team has never really recovered from Monaco where Kimi Raikkonen hit Adrian Sutil from behind and denied Force India a points finish. Force India’s Giancarlo looked poised to set a good lap on Saturday, but a spin put him out of contention. Here are the reactions from the drivers and Mike Gascoyne:

Adrian Sutil

“It was quite a good qualifying for us as I think we could get nearly all the performance out of the car, although we had a little problem with graining on the front tyres that cost us a little bit of time. There is a better trend at the moment; we have a new update on the car, it works well and we are not too far away from the others - only about two tenths.”

Giancarlo Fisichella

“Unfortunately I had a problem with the engine cover during the session and I lost some downforce as the right side of the car was in a bad position. That said, I was only three tenths away from Q2 so it’s not too bad considering.”

Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer,Force India F1:

“An exciting qualifying session with the threat of rain throughout. As we expected we had clearly made a step forward to the group in front, but unfortunately just not quite enough this time out.

“Giancarlo had a problem with a loose piece of bodywork that we weren’t able to fix during the session as he got scrutinised twice. Then, on his last lap, which probably would have been enough to put him very close to Q2, he unfortunately spun in the complex at the end of the lap. While it is disappointing that we just missed out on Q2, it is encouraging that we are closer.”

Is it me or a podium finish at the 2010 Indian Grand Prix looks like a distant dream ? I am sure Mr. Vijay Mallya wont be too impressed !