Dr Vijay Mallya, Force India - Q&A

 

Dr Vijay Mallya, the team principal of Force India, says he can't remember any F1 season that's been more hotly anticipated or less possible to accurately predict than the one about to get underway in 2014.

Q:
Dr Mallya, how much are you looking forward to the challenge of 2014?

Dr Vijay Mallya:
I always enjoy seeing a F1 car come to life, but I can't remember so much anticipation ahead of a new season.

The rule changes have presented us with a huge challenge, but I'm very proud of the approach we have taken and the direction of the technical team. It will be fascinating to see how different teams have interpreted the rules and at this stage it's impossible to predict who has done the best job.

It's this uncertainty that should make for a very entertaining season of racing, which is great news for the fans.

Q:
Despite all the uncertainty you must have a goal in mind for 2014?

Dr Vijay Mallya:
We've got to aim higher than last year. It's an ambitious goal, but I believe it's a realistic one because we have to look forward and take the fight to the teams ahead of us.

We have the key elements in place to continue moving forward, such as our expanded agreement with Mercedes-Benz to include the complete power unit and gearbox. As I've said before, I believe they represent the best partner to work with in this new era of F1. Combined with our strong driver line-up there is definitely the potential for 2014 to be our strongest season yet.

Q:Talking of the drivers, you've signed up two of the most promising young talents on the grid. You must be delighted…

Dr Vijay Mallya:
I'm very happy to have such an exciting pairing of Nico and Checo. My philosophy has always been to choose drivers based on their speed and ability to perform, and we've done that again this year.

Nico has been with us before, so we understand him and know how quick he is. It's great to have him back. As for Sergio, he's an exceptionally talented driver who I have watched carefully over the last three years. He's clearly got incredible speed and at just 23 has great potential. As a combination we thought they would make a strong pairing. Nico will be a good benchmark for Sergio, and vice versa, and they will bring out the best in each other.

Q:The car has a new look to go with the new driver line-up. What is the thinking behind the new paint scheme?

Dr Vijay Mallya:
The new car livery reflects the way Sahara Force India is evolving. I've always believed the saffron, white and green livery has made our cars the most eye-catching, but adding black as a main colour gives us a fierce new look.

The national colours of India remain an integral part of the car, but the tiger has become a panther! As we enter our seventh season with new partnerships and new names on the car, our contemporary new look helps signal our ambition. 



Source : Crash.net
 

Q&A with Nico Hulkenberg

Nico Hülkenberg shares his thoughts on his return to Force India, the VJM07 and the upcoming Jerez test...

Q: Nico, you must be excited about the upcoming season and your return to Sahara Force India...
NH: "Absolutely, I'm happy where I am: I fit in well here and I know the team. I think they are well prepared and also I think we're looking for the same things. Therefore I'm very comfortable and I'm looking forward to the coming weeks and months."

Q: Is it like a homecoming for you?
NH: "In a way, for sure, it is that kind of feeling. It should make all the normal processes you go through on a race weekend easier, because I know most of the people. I have the same race engineer and lots of the same mechanics, so that's going to help. It will make the transition and bedding-in time shorter."

Q: You were only away for a year - have there been any changes?
NH:"There are a few new faces, but I'm already working with them, so I'll get used to that quite quickly. The core bunch of people is still pretty much the same."

Q: What are your thoughts on the new rules?
NH: "It's exciting times, but there's not so much I can say at the moment - I think everybody is a bit in the dark in terms of how the car is going to behave, what it's going to be like, and also the driving sensation for us in the car. There are quite a few question marks still there and I think we can't really give you all the answers until we've been out on the track running."

Q: Are you the sort of driver who can adapt very easily to whatever driving style is required?
NH: "I think you need to be able to adjust to the required circumstances and adjust your driving style. It's not easy and it will be a big challenge for everyone involved. The drivers have to deal with fuel management and everything else as well, but I think that's exciting. Going into the season I've never been in a situation like this in Formula One where we know so little about what to expect and what's coming."

Q: Do you see it as an opportunity for the established order to be mixed up because it all depends on who has done a better job of interpreting the rules?
NH: "I think it could be an opportunity, but it works in both directions, because the regulations are really so different. A lot has changed, especially on the engine side, so from that point of view it's impossible to predict anything. I'm sure there's an opportunity to do something special, but there's also an opportunity to make a mistake and to go the wrong way. We won't know until after the first couple of races."

Q: Do you see reliability as a key factor that teams can take advantage of?
NH: "I'm sure that could play a role at some point. For now everybody has to master the challenge and focus on reliability and make sure they tick the box. We're all in the same boat there, the manufacturers and all the teams."

Q: You have a new team mate this year in Sergio Perez. Do you get on well with him?
NH: "I look forward to working with Checo. For sure it's going to be a challenge for both of us: we are both in the early stages of our career - we're both entering the fourth year of our career, and we're hungry for success and highly motivated. It will be interesting to see how the year develops. It's going to be a competitive environment, as it should be between team mates, and I'm sure we'll push each other along."

Q: What can you tell us about your choice of number?
NH: "Obviously we all had to make a choice and I got the one I actually wanted - the number 27. I'm happy, but it's not a huge deal for me. It's a nice thing to have but it's not the most important thing in the world!"

Q: Finally, how would you sum up your goals for the season?
NH: "I hope that we have a competitive car and that I can deliver good results, just like I did at the end of 2013. But again it's really hard to define and set the targets with so many question marks in the game. Obviously we want to do well, we want to score a lot of points and I think maximising our package and our performance is the main target for now." 

Source : ForceIndia.com 

Force India's 2014 F1 car emerges

 


Force India has finally shown its new VJM07 in public for the first time.

The Silverstone-based outfit had published a digital image of its new livery last week, prior to the car being given a shakedown during a promotional run at Silverstone in the hands of Nico Hulkenberg.

It finally revealed the new car during an unveiling in the Jerez pitlane on Tuesday morning, ahead of the first pre-season test.

The nose on the new car protrudes notably, in the manner that has prompted controversy and a fan backlash since the potential frontal aerodynamics consequences of the new rules emerged.

Force India's technical director Andy Green said that the team had been bold with its design push on the car.

"Almost every single part is a new design, from the front wing right back to the diffuser," he said.

"The genetics of the VJM07 still lie in the 2013 car, but we've had to achieve the same results in a slightly different way.

"It's been a massive job to accommodate all the changes to the power unit - it's the biggest change I've witnessed in the sport since I started in 1990.

"Cooling has been the biggest challenge with most of last summer taken up trying to understand the cooling requirements of the power unit, and how best to optimise it in the chassis."

Source : Autosport.com

Daniel Juncadella lands Force India F1 team's reserve role

Daniel Juncadella has secured a test and reserve deal with the Force India team for the 2014 Formula 1 season.

The 2012 European Formula 3 champion will dovetail the role, which will include some Friday practice outings at grands prix, with continuing to race in the DTM for Force India's F1 engine supplier Mercedes.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me to learn and will hopefully take me a step closer to eventually racing in Formula 1," said Juncadella.

Team boss Vijay Mallya said the 22-year-old Spaniard's deal continued Force India's tradition of bringing young drivers into F1.

"Over the last few years we have always tried to support young, talented drivers and we will continue down this path by giving Daniel the opportunity to drive the VJM07 on Friday mornings at selected races," said Mallya.

"Daniel will also play an important role in our simulator programme at the factory, which remains an increasingly important development tool."

Juncadella won the 2011 Macau F3 GP before taking the following year's European title, after which his ties with Mercedes brought him into the DTM.

He already has some F1 testing experience with Ferrari and Williams.

Source : Autosport.com
 

Dramatic facelift planned for VJM07

Force India's new Formula 1 challenger is to have a dramatic facelift early in the campaign, with the team promising a more aggressive nose.

The first side-on image of the VJM07 that was published on Wednesday did not give a proper idea of the shape of the narrow noses that will become a common feature of F1 2014.

And although the image suggested that Force India's version could be quite standard, technical director Andrew Green has revealed a bolder version is being worked on.

"Our nose is a launch spec and later we will have an updated front end of the car, which potentially is quite different," said Green.

"We had to take quite a pragmatic view of it and say we've got to go testing so we've got to get a car out of the door.

"As much as we want to push the boundaries of the impact structure, because we know how important they are for the whole car, we don't have the 
resources to push it to the limit in our first iteration, so we need a banker.

"The nose that is on the launch car is a banker. We've got ourselves a car that we can go testing and racing with. Several weeks ago we started pushing the design boundaries because we think there's performance in it.

"There are new concepts coming through."

Various technical personnel have already suggested that the 2014 low noses will make the cars look ugly this year.

Source : Autosport.com

Force India reveals first image of 2014 F1 car

 

Force India has become the first team to reveal its 2014 Formula 1 car by releasing an image of the Mercedes-engined VJM07.
The new car features the low nose mandated by the regulations, as well as the new tailpipe at the rear as part of measures designed to prevent exhaust-blown downforce.

The image does not reveal any dramatic design innovations, but it will not be until the car first appears at next week's Jerez test that any conclusions can be drawn about its technical merits.

"Almost every single part is a new design, from the front wing right back to the diffuser," said technical director Andrew Green.

"The genetics of the VJM07 still lie in the 2013 car, but we've had to achieve the same results in a slightly different way.
"It's been a massive job to accommodate all the changes to the power unit - it's the biggest change I've witnessed in the sport since I started in 1990.

"Cooling has been the biggest challenge with most of last summer taken up trying to understand the cooling requirements of the power unit, and how best to optimise it in the chassis."

NEW LIVERY

The car features a new colour scheme, with much of the white colouring removed in favour of black.

This modified colour scheme replaces the white, orange and green livery used from 2009-13.

"The VJM07 looks stunning and the new livery reflects the way Sahara Force India is evolving," said Mallya.


"I've always believed our cars have been the most eye-catching, but adding black as a main colour gives us a fierce new look."

The new livery also incorporates some new sponsors, with telecommunications brand Claro - which previously backed McLaren and Sauber - coming on board thanks to Sergio Perez's arrival at the team.
Mallya believes that this shows the team is growing and that the coming season could be its best in F1.

"It's been a busy winter for us on the technical and commercial front," said Mallya.

"When I founded the team my first ambition was to launch the first Indian team on the grid, but the next stage in our evolution is to develop a global brand.

"I think that ambition is reflected in the partners we are working with and our world class driver line-up.

"It certainly feels as though there is the potential for 2014 to be our strongest season yet."


Source : Autosport.com 
 

Exclusive Q&A with Force India’s Sergio Perez

After a season of unexpected struggle at McLaren, Sergio Perez begins a new chapter in his Formula One career this year, lining up at Force India alongside another of the paddock’s brightest young talents, Nico Hulkenberg. So can Perez really progress in 2014, or is he back in a holding pattern as he awaits a true shot at title glory? We spoke to the 23-year-old Mexican to find out…

Q: Sergio, it was expected for a while that you would join Force India, but can you talk us through the hiring process?
Sergio Perez: When it was confirmed that I was leaving McLaren, Sahara Force India was always my first option. It is a very good team and in the same way as me, it is hungry for success. The discussions with Sahara Force India started around the time of the race in Austin. I attended a couple of meetings and held several telephone conferences before everything came to a positive agreement. The official announcement that I was going to race for Force India then came on the 10th of December at the Mexican Embassy in London with Vijay Mallya. It was a quite emotional moment.
Q: Your career has taken a turn you probably hadn’t planned. Joining McLaren from Sauber was expected to be a direct route to title contention, but now it seems you are back in a ‘holding pattern’. How do you see your situation?
SP: It has been a very important learning path in my career. I don't regret anything: McLaren is a great team and I will always respect them. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the season did not go as expected and we ended up without a podium. The situation I am in now is different, but it's also exciting. I do not see myself as in a ‘holding patter’ and this is part of my journey in Formula One. I strongly believe that my success is yet to be seen.
Q: Is staying in Formula One racing more important than which team you are with?
SP: For me it was important not to just be in Formula One, but to be part of a team that is hungry and ambitious. Force India is a team that has constantly progressed - and a lot recently when they finished sixth in the constructors’ championship - so I think this is a great opportunity for me. My view is that they were strong last year and this year gives us a good chance to be even stronger together.
Q: McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh was obviously instrumental in the Force India deal. What’s your guess: was he conscience stricken?
SP: I know Martin was keen to see me continue in Formula One and I appreciated his support. He is a great friend and I wish him and the team the very best.
Q: Moving up the grid from Sauber to McLaren - from Hinwil to Woking - no doubt involved an element of ‘culture shock’. Is that situation now reversed as you go from Woking to Silverstone?
SP: I do not see it entirely that way. Although the physical differences are obvious from factory to factory, the culture of Formula One teams is very similar, as they all want to be competitive. Wherever I find myself I have always and will always give my best and I trust my current team to do the same for me. So there is no 'culture shock'.
Q: You could say that Force India were the best midfield team of 2013, while McLaren were the worst frontrunner team of 2013. What do you think that means for 2014?
SP: That gives me very big motivation for the 2014 season. I feel confident that together with Force India we can do a good job over the winter and start the season in good shape. The team did that last year and they have been focused on the 2014 car for a long time. These are all positives.
Q: Looking at the driver line-ups for 2014, Force India’s pairing looks pretty competitive. How do you see having Nico next to you in the garage?
SP: Nico is a very competitive and experienced driver. He has also been with Force India before. I hope to learn as much from him as I can and I'm definitely looking forward to racing next to him. I am sure we will have a great - and successful - season together.
Q: It could be argued that Nico is the better qualifier whereas you are the better racer. Will you both be willing to shuffle your talents together?
SP: I hope to learn as much from Nico as I expect him to learn from me, so eventually we will embark on a steep, two-way learning curve - hopefully with eyebrow raising results! I think I'm a better driver after the year with McLaren, and being strong in every area is - and always will be - my focus.

Source : Formula1.com 
 

Force India 'can break top five'

Force India can break into the top five of Formula 1's constructors' championship in 2014, according to deputy team principal Bob Fernley.
The Silverstone-based squad finished sixth in 2013, with Paul di Resta securing its best finish of fourth in Bahrain (pictured), and has targeted a position in the top five of the championship for next season.

It will contest the 2014 season with an all-new driver pairing, having signed Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez to replace di Resta and Sauber-bound Adrian Sutil.


Fernley believes engine performance will be the key to next season, and that provided Mercedes is as competitive as expected, Force India will be in a position to move forward.

"It has to be higher next year," Fernley told AUTOSPORT.

"If we have made the right decision on the powertrain, and we won't know that until we start running, we have got to be looking at podiums and at least fifth place next year. That will be the target.

"Obviously, we were the first [customer] team to sign our engine deal, which has been in place in March and we were probably one of the first teams to switch over to the 2014 design, so we are very optimistic."

Fernley expects the car's aerodynamic performance to be a less significant factor in how competitive teams are.

This is because the new 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 power units will be a bigger part of the performance equation than the previous generation engines were.
"The biggest differentiator will be the power unit, so what you need is a chassis that is going to be of good quality, but I don't think it is going to be as critical on the aero as in recent years.

"That will change as time goes on, but certainly in the first half of next year and possibly all of next year, it's going to be all about the power units.

"There are so many variables with reliability, with ERS [energy recovery systems], with fuel-flow systems.

"Somebody is going to get it right, someone is going to get it wrong and what you don't know is which camp you are in.

"If we are in the camp that has got it right, then we are on the right track."


FORCE INDIA'S RISE
Since Vijay Mallya took control of the ex-Jordan/Midland/Spyker team and rebranded it as Force India for the 2008 season, the Silverstone-based squad has emerged as a competitive midfield outfit.
It has scored just one podium since its debut in the 2008 Australian Grand Prix (pictured), with Giancarlo Fisichella finished second in Belgium the following season.

         Standings  Points  
2008          10th       0
2009           9th      13
2010           7th      68
2011           6th      69
2012           7th     109
2013           6th      77 

Source : Autosport.com