New Force India makes track debut

Force India's 2015 Formula 1 car finally broke cover when Nico Hulkenberg hit the track on day two of the third and final test at Barcelona.
Following delays in the build of the new car, the Silverstone-based team only sent the new VJM08 to Spain on Thursday, a day after releasing images of the car.
Force India missed the opening pre-season test at Jerez and only ran its 2014 car at Barcelona, to gather data on the new Pirelli tyres.
The VJM08 was fired up at the factory with the final build process being completed at the Circuit de Catalunya on Friday morning.

With 40 minutes to go until the lunch break, Hulkenberg guided the 2015 challenger on track for an installation lap before returning to the pits.

Last week, his team-mate Sergio Perez expressed optimism that Force India could still hit the ground running despite its delays.

"Hopefully the new car turns up and we can do some proper mileage with it. Let's be positive," he said.

"We don't really know, and you never know how a new car is going to turn up.
"It might turn up and give no problems or turn up and you don't do any more than six or seven laps. It depends."

Autosport.com 
 

Q&A with Otmar Szafnauer

Otmar, can you sum up last week’s test in Barcelona with the VJM07?
“It was a straightforward and productive week, with the primary focus to learn about the 2015 tyres. Because we know the 2014 car so well, we could focus purely on tyre evaluation on a range of different fuel loads. We used every dry compound that was available last week and all of that information will be transferrable to our 2015 programme.”
The team worked with Pascal Wehrlein for the first time. Did he settle in well?
“Everyone was impressed with Pascal. He took a very mature approach to the test and didn’t put a foot wrong. It’s always interesting to receive feedback from a new driver and Pascal was very detailed and accurate with his feedback. Running him alongside our race drivers provided a nice yardstick for data comparisons.”
What can you tell us about the VJM08 car build process?
“It has progressed well over the last few days and the car has now been fired up at the factory. That’s always the key moment when the car truly comes to life. We have seen a tremendous effort from every department over the last few months to get us to this stage and we’re looking forward to seeing the car take to the track later this week.”
When do you expect the VJM08 to appear on track this week?
“The VJM08 will arrive in Barcelona on Friday morning and the final set up will take place in the garage at the track. We are aiming to get out on Friday and the new car will run as much as possible over the weekend.”

ForceIndiaf1.com 
 

Checo targets his "best year in Formula One"

Sergio, the 2015 season that is about to begin is a very special one, with Formula One coming to Mexico…
Yes, it is extremely exciting! It is always a special feeling to return to action after the winter break: you have a lot of new things to look forward to, many expectations and a genuine desire to get back in the cockpit after a few months off. But to know that I will be able to race a Formula One car in my own country makes the start of this season even better. I am really looking forward to the Mexican Grand Prix.
It's been 23 years since the last time the sport was in Mexico City. What can Formula One expect?
Formula One is in for a big surprise. Fans in Mexico love racing and there already is an incredible enthusiasm about the race - and that is before tickets even went on sale. We are famous for being very passionate about sports and I think the whole race week will be a big celebration, not just at the track but in the whole of the city.
The team's 2015 look was launched in Mexico City in January; was that a little taste of what is to come at the Mexican Grand Prix?
The team launch was a great event and I was proud to unveil our new colours in my country. Fans in Mexico have embraced Sahara Force India and it was impressive to see the love everyone showed us. We had 15,000 fans coming to see the car in the week after the launch and I wouldn't be surprised to see more than ten times as many coming to see the race!
You were back in action in Barcelona this week. What are your first impressions?
It was really good to be back on the track, even with last year's car. When you are a driver, you don’t get many occasions to do laps before the first race so every opportunity is precious to get back into the right rhythm, get to know your engineering team and fall back into all the procedures you are used to in. It was crucial to be able to test the new 2015 tyres and what we learned has helped our preparation for the races.There remains a lot of work to be done, of course, especially when we run with the new car at the final test this week.
You now approach your fifth year in Formula One: what can we expect from Checo Perez in 2015?
It's very straightforward - I want to go and get my best year in Formula One. Last year I had to adapt to a new team and a new environment, but despite this we managed to get some impressive results. I want to build on that season to have even better results in 2015 for both myself and the team. My hunger for success hasn't diminished and the team has the same approach: we know the path ahead will be hard because all of our competitors have done steps forward, but we are prepared to work hard and have a really strong season.

Forceindiaf1.com 
 

'The best feeling in the world' - Q&A with Checo Perez

Sergio, it is almost two months since you last drove a Formula One car – what have you been doing since then?
The time in the winter goes by really quickly! It’s always important for me to take a break from my normal routine and return to Mexico to recover from the season. I have been doing some training, but the main priority is always to relax a bit and have some quiet days with my family. I didn’t stop racing completely because I always enjoy racing karts when I go back home. It’s good fun to race with my brother and friends. We only race for fun and there is no pressure.
So you’re feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work?
It’s good to have a holiday, but I have missed sitting in my Formula One car: it is the best feeling in the world and I can't wait to try my new car. My motivation is extremely high.
How do you look back on 2014?
There was a lot to learn at first because it was a new team for me and there were new regulations. To begin with it took some time to establish myself in the team. I obviously had the podium in Bahrain early in the season, but I also had some bad luck in the first few races. The second half of the year was more satisfying because I was settled in the team and I could really push the car and get consistent results. Bahrain, Canada, Austria, Italy and Singapore are the races that I remember the most.
What lessons did you take away from 2014?
I learned how to work in a different environment and to make the most of every resource available to me. As soon as I arrived I could see huge potential and I knew we could achieve great things if we continued working with the same approach.
Tell us about the strengths of Sahara Force India…
I think the main strength is the people and the attitude in the team. You feel that it’s easy to communicate; everybody wants to listen and it’s a very productive way of working. I remember at the start of last year I was comparing everything with my old team [McLaren] and I have to say I was really impressed when I arrived. Everybody knows their job and all the energy is focussed on taking the team forward. I saw the emotion in Bahrain when we finished on the podium - it gave everybody a taste of success, and we want to experience it again and again. I believe the hunger here is as strong as in any other team.
What about your teammate? How is it working with Nico?
We get on very well and he’s a very professional and competitive driver. We have different driving styles and different ways of working, but we always talk together about how to improve the car and that’s important. We don’t keep secrets; it’s a very open way of working and we can learn a lot from each other. I’ve always had quick teammates in Formula One and it’s the best way to measure your performance because your teammate is the first person you have to beat. 

Forceindiaf1.com 
 

The Hulk is ready for spectacular things

Nico, the 2015 season is almost upon us. Do you feel refreshed after some time at home?
I’ve certainly recharged my batteries. I spent Christmas with my family and friends, and was able to switch off and relax. The rest of the time has involved the usual preparation and fitness training because the winter is the best opportunity to build a solid foundation before the season starts.
So you’re feeling ready to get back in the car?
Yes, definitely. It’s good to have time away from the track, but by January you begin to feel excited about the new season and the start of testing. The first day with a new car is always a very special moment: you feel like a kid at Christmas and you can’t wait to get your hands on a new toy!
What did you learn from the 2014 season?
I believe 2014 was my best year in Formula One so far. It was the moment when I felt I really arrived and became comfortable with everything that surrounds the job. The main thing I learned is that even if you struggle in qualifying, there is still a good opportunity to have a strong race. It’s more important to have consistent race pace and the right strategy on Sunday. We proved that on several occasions last year.
You know the team extremely well by now. How important is that stability?
It makes a big difference not having to adapt to new surroundings. It means you don’t have that learning period when you have to get to know the people and adapt to the way a team works. So I think it takes the pressure off a little bit and you can focus all your energy on driving and improving the car.
Tell us about the atmosphere in the team?
It’s very positive and that’s certainly a major strength of this team. It’s a special and unique atmosphere, which feels like a big family. Whether I’m at the track or the factory, it’s a great environment and it helps bring out the best in me as a driver. Everybody is pushing to get better every day and year after year. I look forward to being part of that process once again.
The technical rules are relatively stable going into 2015 – is that a good thing for you as a driver?
It makes things easier. There are no surprises and you can begin the season feeling more comfortable because you know what to expect. Of course, there are always small changes – especially on things like the steering wheel – so there will always be new things to learn. I think it’s good to have stability because it’s quite confusing for the fans if you change the rules dramatically every year.
As a driver, what’s the biggest challenge in Formula One these days?
With the current regulations you need to have a bigger capacity to cope with things. There are more options, settings and mappings, which can be changed, and you need to take a bigger overview compared to previous years. Consistency is also really important because the slightest mistake can cost you a lot. The challenge is to keep at that high level across the whole season and it’s not easy.
You’re alongside Sergio Perez once again – how is your working relationship with him?
We get on very well. We’ve known each other for a long time because we raced against each other in Formula BMW in 2005 – I think we both stood on the podium together in our first race. Now we are teammates and it’s always going to be a very competitive relationship, but we’re both professional enough to know that we need to work together to push the team forward.
What can we expect from Nico Hülkenberg in 2015?
I hope for spectacular things! That means scoring many points, great racing and lots of fun. I’m part of a team that is growing and hungry for more. 2014 was our best season yet so we need to aim to go a step further this year and give the teams ahead of us a harder time.

Forceindiaf1.com