Force India Mercedes owner and Team Principal Vijay Mallya was not on hand to witness the team’s strongest performance last time out in Monaco as took in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket match in South Africa.

While Mallya took his jet off to watch the Bangalore Royal Challengers, Giancarlo Fisichella was hard at work in Monte Carlo, chasing Sebastien Bourdais across the line to finish in ninth position- just out of the points. Team-mate Adrian Sutil was a distant 14th.

“I know much has been made of the fact I was not in Monaco to see the result, but as I have always said, I believe in giving people the means and the responsibility to autonomously carry out their tasks to the best of their ability,” Mallya stated. “I think this weekend shows I have capable, confident people in the right positions and I do not need to be there looking over their shoulders. I can assure you however I was 100 percent behind the team and was very quickly on the phone to celebrate!”

While Fisichella’s charge was encouraging for the team, Force India has yet to score this year. Heading to the Turkish Grand Prix Mallya is hopeful that the Monaco momentum can be maintained.

“The result has had a great motivation on the team and the drivers - we just need that little bit more,” the Indian billionaire continued. “We have some new development items coming through, such as new front wheel spinners and a small modification for the rear suspension, plus the rear wing we ran in Monaco will also undergo some slight changes to suit the downforce level in Istanbul.”

“However the main thrust of the upgrades will come through in Silverstone now, so our aim for Turkey should be to keep the momentum we picked up in Monaco going and consolidate our form rather than wholesale improvements.”