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

Force India aims to match Williams in 2015

Force India technical director Andrew Green reckons his Formula 1 team should be able to fight with Williams in 2015, thanks to planned improvements to its engine and aerodynamic testing.

The Silverstone-based F1 squad enjoyed a strong start to the 2014 season - reaching as high as second in the constructors' standings after Sergio Perez made the Bahrain Grand Prix podium.

But Force India's form tailed off as the season wore on, and it eventually lost out to a resurgent McLaren in the battle for fifth in the final table.

The team recently announced a deal to use Toyota's windtunnel facility in Cologne, starting in 2015, and Green reckons Force India will be a much more competitive proposition next season.

"I'd like to think we could take a step in closing the gap, given that we know if we can solve the deficit we have in the handling characteristic of the car, there's significant laptime to be had," Green told AUTOSPORT.

"Hopefully we can get up and at least be chasing Williams.

"That should really be where we're at, and I think we can do that with all the things we're putting in place for next year, and the windtunnel testing.

"Mercedes are [also] doing a good job with the engine over the winter.

"We're very excited about what they're bringing for next year and what we've learned to add to next year's car.

"I think we should be back where we were at the beginning of the season."

FORM LOOKS WORSE THAN IT WAS

Green said Force India had actually maintained its deficit to the leading Mercedes works team across the balance of the season, but argued other teams had simply jumped into the gap as they improved at a faster rate.

"We track our progress relative to the polesitter, depending on the track - because we know which tracks our problems are at - and we haven't been that far from tracking Mercedes," Green added.

"The fact is that Mercedes has been that far in front and there's been quite a big gap.

"At the beginning of the season there was quite a big group of cars behind us and we looked quite tasty.

"What happened over the course of the season was that teams popped into that gap.

"It looks like we've effectively gone backwards in the rankings, but our performance relative to the top guy hasn't really changed that much.

"We were adding things to the car and it was making a difference - it just wasn't really showing because of our position.

"Until we start putting more people behind us, it's not going to show on track."

Autosport.com

Force India to use Toyota windtunnel

The Force India Formula 1 team will use Toyota's windtunnel facilities for all its aerodynamic testing during the 2015 season and beyond.

The Japanese manufacturer's windtunnel in Cologne is regarded as one of the best in Europe, and it has been used by several teams in recent years.

Ferrari used the facility while it worked on upgrading its own windtunnel.

Team boss Vijay Mallya labelled the move as one of the "most significant decisions" in Force India's history.

"The decision to use Toyota's facility in Cologne is indicative of our ambitions to continue as a competitive force in Formula 1," said Mallya.

"It's one of the most significant decisions in our history and gives us access to what is regarded as one of the finest windtunnels in the world.

"We have used the facility previously on an ad hoc basis and we are aware of the advantages of basing all our aerodynamic research in Cologne.

"It will strengthen our approach and give us a solid base to build upon for the years to come."

The decision to focus on the Toyota tunnel comes amid a rule change for 2015 that means F1 teams can only nominate one windtunnel.

Appendix 8 of the sporting regulations states: "Each team may nominate only one windtunnel for use in any one 12-month period. The first nomination must be made on or before 1 January 2015 and no re-nominations may be made for at least 12 months."

Force India said its own windtunnel facilities in Brackley will remain operational for external customers.

Autosport.com

Abu Dhabi GP - Race - ForceIndia drivers quotes

Nico Hulkenberg, 6th
"I'm very happy with this result. After struggling with the car on Friday and in qualifying, I think we can be proud of today's race and our performance is a good sign for next year as well. The car performed at its best; I had a good balance and I had the confidence to really push. There were just a few laps after the pit stops when I was managing the tyres, but other than that it was flat out all the way. The long final stint on the supersoft tyres was brave, but it turned out to be a great strategy by the team and it really worked out well."

Sergio Perez, 7th
"The points today helped me to finish in the top ten of the championship, which is an important achievement after a great year. I think we could have been even higher up today, but we probably stopped too late for the final pit stop. If we had been on the supersofts a bit earlier then maybe we could have been closer to Button at the end of the race. Looking back at the season overall I think everyone in the team has done a tremendous job and we should feel very happy about what we have achieved. I've enjoyed this season and now that I know the team I'm looking forward to coming back stronger in 2015."

Vijay Mallya, Force India team principal and managing director
"Today we saw a captivating race that demonstrated how far we have come this season. Everyone in the team performed superbly, from the team on the pit wall that devised a very effective strategy, to the pit-crew who pulled off four good stops. Equally, the drivers were superb and Nico and Sergio didn't put a wheel wrong on track. We battled with world champions today and we beat them fair and square -we finished with both cars ahead of the Ferraris and one Red Bull. Nico's penalty was harsh and it surely cost him fifth place, which would have been thoroughly deserved. Even though tonight's result was not enough to claim back fifth in the championship, we can look back to our season with pride. We scored the highest points tally in the history of the team, 155 points, and we finished with both cars in the points on ten occasions. I want to congratulate everyone in the team, both here at the track and back in Silverstone, for their effort this season, and encourage them to take this year as a spur for even greater things to come in 2015."

F1.com