The Force India Formula One Team today started its preparations for the penultimate round of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship, the Chinese Grand Prix, with two 90 minute free practice sessions at a humid Shanghai International Circuit.

Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella completed more than 100 laps in total as they worked through a normal Friday programme of tyre and set-up evaluation and completed some longer runs in the afternoon. Both drivers improved their times from the morning to the afternoon by over one second and collected valuable information that will aid the team in final practice and qualifying tomorrow.

Adrian Sutil: 'Today was a pretty normal Friday and we got through all the work we needed to. We are still struggling for grip a little and to get the tyres to work, but we did improve over the day and there's still one more practice tomorrow. We seem to be more competitive on the low downforce tracks like Spa and Fuji, so with the corners and higher downforce levels we use here this track doesn't suit us as much. We'll still push to be as good as we possibly can.'

Giancarlo Fisichella: 'This morning the balance wasn't great as we were struggling with grip and the tyres as well. For the afternoon session we made a step forward with the set-up so it was more comfortable and we could improve a fair bit. I still think there is still some room for improvement tomorrow.'

Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer: 'A normal first day of running, with no real mechanical problems on either car. We are struggling with a lack of grip and getting the temperature into the tyres, but all in all we got through our programme and things look good for the weekend.'

To check out our Shanghai Friday gallery, click here