Spearheaded by team principal Vijay Mallya, the Mercedes FO 108W-powered VJM02s of the Force India Formula 1 Grand Prix Team – driven by Adrian Sutil, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Giancarlo Fisichella – placed ninth in the 2009 Constrictors’ Points and managed to earn a pole and a second place position.

Although the second full year for the team, which was known as Spyker prior to October 2007, wasn’t exactly a banner one, the Force India team did have a few highlights.

Giancarlo Fisichella scored the teams first ever points after he won the pole at Spa and came home for a second place finish for their first ever podium.

Unfortunately for the team, Fisichella left to take over in relief of an injured Felipe Massa at Ferrari after Spa. The team moved up test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi to replace him.

The team made some mid-season upgrades that helped the VJM02's power but they still struggled with a lack of downforce.

Sutil was able to finish fourth at Monza, while Liuzzi’s seventh place finish in his first Grand Prix after Fisichella’s departure, also at Monza, was his best finish of the season.

Adrian Sutil recently said Force India remains his best option for 2010, while Giancarlo Fisichella has struggled at Ferrari. Fisichella will become Ferrari’s test driver when Massa returns to the Maranello team next year and Fisichella hinted that he might be allowed to return to Force India with the blessing of his Ferrari bosses.

Until Fisichella’s future becomes clearer, Liuzzi’s role for next season is unknown. Thrown in the drivers mix are GP2 Series racer Karun Chandhok and former A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Champion Neel Jani both of whom will test for the team as part of the young drivers test in December.