F1: Adrian plans to use the Force

Sutil has qualified tenth in each of the opening two grands prix in Bahrain and Australia, but managed only 12th place in Sakhir before retiring after just nine laps with an engine issue in Melbourne.

In contrast, team-mate Vitantonio Liuzzi has failed to make it into the top-ten shootout in qualifying, yet has scored eight points for finishing ninth in Bahrain and seventh in Australia.

With reserve, Bathgate's Paul di Resta, being given an opportunity to prove himself in first practice at a number of grands prix this year, Sutil and Liuzzi know they are under pressure to perform.

Ahead of Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, Sutil said: "I really want to get some points on board in this race.

"I've had two races where I should have scored, so I want to finish the job now."

Sutil believes the team have made such strides they are knocking on the door of Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. Yet Sutil's early finish in Melbourne was an exasperating one as he said: "It was a bit frustrating as I think it could have been a good race.

"We were in a good position, keeping pace with the leaders, and normally in these changeable conditions the car and the team perform well.

"Until that point the weekend had been quite good.

"Again we got into Q3 and I felt I could even have qualified higher, so that's very positive. It's showing we're pretty competitive across different tracks and not that far behind the big four, so at this point it's very encouraging."

After tropical storms forced last year's race to be halted after 31 of the 56 laps and half points awarded for only the fifth time in the sport's history, a wet race is forecast again on Sunday.

In addition to the 30 degree heat and 70 per cent humidity, the grand prix promises to be a challenging one for all the drivers.

"It's very tough physically," remarked Sutil, who has spent the last few days training in the Malaysian resort of Langkawi.

"You can lose up to four kilos (in body weight) over the race so fitness and concentration is absolutely key.

"But I feel really good, very relaxed, and confident in the team and the car now, so I can't wait to get back out there.

"The weather, though, as we saw last year, always throws up some interesting challenges.

"This year we don't have to pray for rain as we have done in the past. We can deal with the conditions whatever they are."