AFTER securing their first points in Formula One last season, Force India have set their sights on more than one podium finish in 2010.

“We finished 2009 on a real high note - our first-ever points, a podium and one place up in the constructors’ championship,” said team principal Vijay Mallya in a preview for Sunday (March 14)’s season-opener in Bahrain.

“That is enough in itself to set the bar much higher this season, but we’re really determined to take it to the next level.

“Regular points and the odd podium have got to be the aim and we know it is possible. I have a lot of faith in the drivers and the technical staff, I think we’ve got into a very good rhythm together now.”

Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, now Ferrari’s reserve driver, finished second in Belgium last year after starting on pole position. Force India ended the season ninth of 10 teams, with that number increased to 12 this year.

Germany's Adrian Sutil, who now leads the lineup with Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi, backed that up with a fourth place in Italy in September.

Mallya said he had been encouraged by testing results but added that nobody would know the reality until the first qualifying session.

“Certainly however the initial reports from the drivers are encouraging and when that happens it’s worth another three to four tenths. If they feel happy and confident in the car then they can really attack,” said the beer and aviation tycoon.

Sutil said his immediate goal for Bahrain was just finishing in the top 10 while Liuzzi said the new car was the best he had driven in five years in F1.

“It’s the most balanced, and knowing that has made me feel so much stronger and confident,” he said. “Of course you can never know exactly where you are compared to the others but we can go to Bahrain feeling optimistic and positive.”