Force India raised quite a few eyebrows when Adrian Sutil came third in the second free practice ahead of Sunday's British GP.

Sutil's afternoon position is the team's highest-placed Friday classification so far this season.

The Formula One minnows had a perfect start to their home race preparation with Giancarlo Fisichella and Sutil putting in a productive day's work, with the 10th and 11th fastest times respectively in the morning, and 19th and third quickest in the afternoon.

The team used the two 90 minute practices to evaluate its major new aero package, which included a new front wing, bargeboards, bodywork and modifications to the floor.

"The day went well as I was happy with the car the whole day. It was a bit surprising to be third in FP2, but it was a really good session, the best position so far this year on a Friday," an elated Sutil said.

"I don't think it's realistic to expect us to be third for qualifying, but everything is working really well and I am quite confident about making it through to Q2 again. If we can do this again we'd be quite satisfied," Sutil said.

Fisichella, meanwhile, complained of both understeer and oversteer but he was confident of making Q2.

"In the afternoon, I was suffering with oversteer and we made some small changes, but in the end with the new tyres I was suffering with understeer. It wasn't such a great FP2 but the potential is there as Adrian has set a really good time. I think tomorrow we should go in the top 15 in qualifying," he said.