Shanghai: Force India's troubles continued at the Formula 1 Shanghai Grand Prix where Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg could only set the 15th and 16th fastest time in qualifying here Saturday.
It was the third time in as many races either Force India failed to make Q3.
It was also the first time this season the VJM08 did not have the pace to make Q2 with Hulkenberg the one missing out.
"It was disappointing to go out in Q1 but unfortunately the final lap just was not quick enough. I lost a bit of lap time with a small mistake as I was pushing hard, trying to get everything out of the car and that caused us to miss out," said Hulkenberg.
"We know there is a lot of work ahead of us to develop this car and get its performance to the level we expect from it, but we know this is a process that takes time," added the German.
The major upgrades planned for Force India are not expected to come before the Austrian Grand Prix in June.
The team's seven points came from the season opener in Melbourne.
