Mallya: One podium could be decisive

Vijay Mallya believes one podium finish could prove decisive to Force India's fortunes in the 2012 constructors' championship.

Paul di Resta secured the outfit's second top-four finish in the last three grands prix last time out at Singapore, coming home less than four seconds behind championship leader Fernando Alonso.

The result moved Force India to within 26 points of Sauber, currently sixth in the constructors' standings, with six races to go.

Mallya is aware that catching the Swiss squad will depend of how strongly both squads perform in the upcoming races, but the Indian team boss is still hopeful it can be done - especially if it can secure that elusive podium finish.

"I still remember the situation in 2010 when Williams pipped us by one point at the last race, so I guess it's not over until it's over," said Mallya.

"I'm still hoping that we can do it and one strong podium finish could help to wipe out Sauber's advantage.

"This is the second time we've finished fourth in the last three races, so we're becoming the bridesmaid a bit too often!"

Mallya thinks that Force India is missing an element of luck this year, but is pleased with both his team's points tally and its recent form.

"It all depends how strong our rivals are in the final six races, but we certainly have some momentum," he said.

"As I've said before that little bit of luck has eluded us. Hopefully it will come to us one day, because we've shown the pace of the car.

"Paul drove fantastically well and we earned 12 points. It's not bad to be sitting at this stage of the season with 75 points in total - we've come a long way."