The miracle Force India was praying for didn't happen in the end and their double finish in the Brazilian Grand Prix notwithstanding, the newest kid on the Formula One block ended its maiden season without a point.The Brazilian Grand Prix was the last chance to break the duck and Giancarlo Fisichella drove an excellent race, running as high as third at one stage, before an undetected clutch problem cooked his goose and the Italian eventually finished a disappointing 18th.
His younger German teammate Adrian Sutil ran a steady race in the chaotic rain-soaked track to finish 16th.
Fisichella's maiden points this season looked agonisingly close after the Italian had made an inspired early call to change to dry tyres on lap two following the heavy rain on the grid.
The Italian catapulted to the third position when the rest of the field pitted some five laps later and he held a points scoring finish until his first pit stop on lap 38.
An undetected clutch problem, however, led to two stalls in the pit and Fisichella dropped from the sharp end of the field to the rear.
The points may have slipped through his fingers but the driver was happy with the way he raced.
"In the rain at the end we tried to gamble with the extreme tyres as there was nothing to lose. Despite the result though it was an incredible start to the race and we can be pleased with the performance," Fisichella added.