Force India decides against running in Jerez F1 test

 

Force India has now decided to skip entirely the first pre-season Formula 1 test at Jerez.

The team had originally intended to use its 2014 car in Spain when the first winter test begins on Sunday.

Its new car is not going to be ready until the second test at Barcelona, after the outfit elected to maximise the development time allowed on it.

But just days before the Jerez test begins, Force India has announced that it is not going to attend at all.

"We have chosen not to run the old (2014) car in Jerez," said the team on Twitter. "The learning opportunities would have been limited so the focus is now on Barcelona."

It is unclear why the decision about the limited learning opportunities had come so late considering the team openly talked about doing the Jerez test as recently as last week.

However, Force India technical director Andrew Green is known to not be a big fan of Jerez as a testing venue, and has admitted that there was very little to be learned running there.

The situation may also have been impacted too by Force India having to run a 
2014 Mercedes engine to fit its old car, plus the fact Pirelli's tyres will be almost identical to how they were in the Abu Dhabi test last year.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT last week about the Jerez plans, Green said: "There will be a few 2015 bits for driver evaluation, but there is still some data that we want to get off last year's car. So there will be a little bit of data gathering.

"The trouble with Jerez and tyres is that because of the unique Tarmac, learning about the tyres is really difficult. So we don't think we'll do that much there.

"We'll do some basic tests with the 2015 tyres, to discover how much they wear more than anything. The spec change from Pirelli appears to be a small step."

Autosport.com
 

Force India unveil sleek new team livery

 

Force India have revealed a new team livery which will adorn their cars during the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship.

The revised colour scheme, which was unveiled by Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg at a special launch in Mexico City on Wednesday, was presented on an old car following the team’s decision to delay the introduction of the new VJM08 until the second pre-season test of the year.

Speaking about the new livery, which incorporates silver for the first time, team principal Dr Vijay Mallya said: “It’s another evolution of the contemporary look we introduced last year, which reflects the growth of the team and the global brands with which we are working.

“I love the addition of silver, which makes the car appear more sleek and aggressive and I’m sure it’s something that will appeal to the fans as well. Our traditional team colours remain integrated in the livery, but we’ve given it a very modern twist.”

Although their new car wasn’t present at the livery launch, Force India say that the VJM08 is an evolution of the VJM07 which will be used at the opening test of the year in Jerez and carried the team to sixth in the 2014 constructors’ standings.

However, according to technical director Andrew Green, changes will be noticeable at the front end of the Mercedes-powered machine: “The front of the car looks very different from what we had developed previously,” he said. “It is a redesign that involved a lot of work over the winter, as the new regulations caused a loss in terms of downforce and we’ve been working to claw back all that performance.”

The VJM08 will also feature other more subtle changes, including modified sculpting of the sidepods and new cooling intakes. Underneath the bodywork, meanwhile, there will be a completely new rear suspension layout with a new hydro-mechanical system replacing the original torsion springs. 

Formula1.com

Force India will not test 2015 car at Jerez

Force India may be the first team to 'launch' in 2015, but it will also be the last new car to actually hit the official test tracks.

The Silverstone based team is preparing to reveal its new livery in Mexico City on Wednesday.

But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reported that the new Mercedes-powered VJM08 will not actually be up-and-running when the other eight teams kick off the official winter test period at Jerez on 1 February.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt said that for "strategic reasons", Force India will instead test a 2014 car at Jerez.

"The team has changed wind tunnels," the respected journalist wrote, "from its own facility in Brackley to the Toyota (tunnel) in Cologne.

"(In Cologne,) engineers under technical director Andy Green have found new insights into the aerodynamic problems of the past," Schmidt claimed.

Force India will therefore reportedly delay the track debut of the 2015 car until the second test later in February, in Barcelona.

Auto Motor und Sport also claimed on Tuesday that Toro Rosso will launch its new car at Jerez on the day before the test, with Williams to either follow suit or simply pull off the wraps before the action begins on 1 February.

The German publication said Sauber, Lotus and Red Bull will also simply reveal their respective 2015 cars to the world's press with low-key pitlane launches at Jerez.

Motorsport.com 
 

Nico Hulkenberg believes Force India F1 team can still get stronger

 

Nico Hulkenberg believes his Force India Formula 1 team can continue to improve next season after its strong 2014 season.

Force India finished sixth in the constructors' championship with its highest points haul since the team assumed its current identity in 2008.

But despite its scoring rate tailing off in the second half of the season, Hulkenberg has no doubts it can continue to improve.

"I hope we can improve, get a little better again and make another step in the right direction," Hulkenberg told AUTOSPORT.

"We slipped behind a little bit in the second half of the season, so we need to have a very good and efficient winter to start with a good car again.

"Then the aim and the target is for us to be as good and consistent as we were at the beginning of the 2014 season."

Although Force India has finished either sixth or seventh in the constructors' championship during the past five seasons, Hulkenberg believes the team has made major strides.

The German first joined the team as third driver in 2011 and has remained there since, save for spending 2013 at Sauber.

"There is progression, but people can't look behind the scenes at Force India so maybe it's hard to see if you just look at the results," said Hulkenberg.

"Me having been here for the first time in 2011, and having left and come back, 
I can see big changes.

"The team has a bigger infrastructure, more people and has a stronger team at the factory. "Hulkenberg added that he expects the Mercedes engine to continue to have the advantage next season, which will boost Force India's hopes.
"It's obviously still to be seen next season, but the talk is they [Mercedes] have a lot in their pocket."

FORCE INDIA'S RISE
Since the team was rebranded as Force India for the 2008 season, its performances have improved every year, save for in 2013 when it had to divert resources into its next car for the major regulations change that followed.

Year Championship  Points
2008        10th        0
2009         9th       13
2010         7th       68
2011         6th       69
2012         7th      109
2013         6th       77
2014         6th      155

Autosport.com 
 

Force India VJM08 launch set for January 21st in Mexico City

Sahara Force India has confirmed a January 21st launch for its 2015 challenger, the Mercedes-powered VJM08, in Mexico City.

With the confirmation, Vijay Mallya’s squad becomes the first in the F1 paddock to formally announce a 2015 launch date this off-season.

Mexican telecommunications company America Movil will be supporting the event, which will take place at the city’s Soumaya Museum and is reportedly set to be streamed online.

America Movil’s Telmex, Telcel, and Claro brands also serve as sponsors for the team.

“Our partnership with America Movil has proved to be very successful and together we have celebrated some special results,” Mallya said in November. 

“With Formula One returning to Mexico in 2015, our association will take on greater significance as we embrace the country’s huge passion for the sport.

“It’s also fitting that we will launch our 2015 season in Mexico City and I wish to thank Telmex, Telcel and Claro for their support in making this event possible.”
Force India finished sixth in the 2014 constructor’s championship. Mexico’s Sergio Perez and Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg have both been retained for 2015.

nbcsports.com

America Movil and Sahara Force India continue racing together in 2015

Sahara Force India’s partnership with America Movil will continue into the 2015 season with Telmex, Telcel and Claro branding set to appear on the team’s new challenger, the VJM08.

The partnership demonstrates America Movil’s commitment to Sahara Force India following the most successful season in the team’s history. The association also reinforces the shared ambition to promote Formula One in Mexico and capitalise on the excitement surrounding the 2015 Mexican Grand Prix.

America Movil will also play an integral role in the presentation of the team’s new look for 2015 with a car livery unveiling scheduled for late January in Mexico City. The event will engage fans and media at the iconic Soumaya Museum close to the head office of America Movil and will be streamed online allowing fans around the world to share the experience.

Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director of Sahara Force India: “Our partnership with America Movil has proved to be very successful and together we have celebrated some special results. With Formula One returning to Mexico in 2015, our association will take on greater significance as we embrace the country’s huge passion for the sport. It’s also fitting that we will launch our 2015 season in Mexico City and I wish to thank Telmex, Telcel and Claro for their support in making this event possible.”

Carlos Slim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of America Movil: “We are glad to renew our relationship with Sahara Force India. It has been a great experience for everyone at America Movil to see the team celebrate its most successful season ever with Checo Perez being a big part of it. I know the team and Checo have even bigger ambitions for 2015 and with the return of Mexico to the calendar a great interest in the team, and the sport as a whole, through the country will come. Everyone at America Movil is proud to be a part of that project.”

ForceIndiaf1.com