Fisichella makes India proud in Belgium

By Alan Baldwin

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) - Italian Giancarlo Fisichella made India proud at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday.

"It feels great, like a dream," said the 36-year-old Roman, who described his Force India team's first ever pole position as one of the most satisfying moments of his long Formula One career.

"What a result. I am now not only looking for points but for more. We've got this far and we need to finish the job."

Vijay Mallya, the aviation and liquor mogul whose team have yet to score a point in 29 starts, was as stunned as anyone in the Spa paddock by what his driver had achieved.

"I am so proud of Giancarlo, the team in the garage and the factory and also for the entire Indian nation," he said. "There is nothing more to say. We've done both ourselves and the country proud."

Surprising as it was, with Fisichella's previous best qualifying this season a 13th place in Monaco, it was no mere fluke.

Fisichella was fastest in the first part of qualifying and fourth in the second when cars are carrying similar fuel loads.

The Mercedes-powered Force India, with a new aerodynamic upgrade introduced at the last race in Valencia, has genuine pace -- particularly at a fast and flowing circuit like Spa - and Fisichella made the most of it.