UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Force India unveils new car

VJM03 a step forward

Force India became the latest team to unveil its 2010 F1 challenger this morning when images of the new VJM03 were revealed.

The car is conventional in the manner of the other 2010 challengers so far seen – complete with a ‘shark fin’ style engine cover – and the team is confident the new Mercedes-powered challenger is a step forward from last year’s model, which was among the most improved cars of the 2009 season.

Design boss Mark Smith said: 'The VJM03 is definitely an evolution of the VJM02 in terms of the design philosophies we have developed at Force India over the last year. We are very happy with the direction, therefore we have opted to evolve the car rather than significantly revise.

'Obviously one of the major aspects we have had to contend with are regulation changes which have had a considerable impact on some aspects of the design of the car. The removal of refuelling from races increases the amount of fuel needed to be stored in the cars - almost twice the amount we ran in 2009.

There is a compromise now: either make the car much longer or wider, or, as we have done, a combination of both. This of course has influenced the mechanical design solutions and also the aerodynamics, specifically with respects to the diffuser and bodywork.

'Even with the ban of double diffusers for 2011, we recognise that we still have to push as much as we possibly can in this area in 2010 as we have targets to meet and the double diffuser is a key development aspect of the car.'

Drivers Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi are looking forward to a season that promises some improved results, the German explaining:

'2010 is a really important season and we are very optimistic about going well. I think this year it's important to be consistent from the first race. I'd like to be in the midfield and be competitive from Bahrain. It's the first time we have been completely on schedule so I feel this will be the first season when I can show from the beginning to the end what is possible with the car and what I can do.

Of course we will have updates and performance packages from this point on but I hope we will be strong from the first practice session rather than compromising at the start.'

Liuzzi, who drove the last few races of the season after Giancarlo Fisichella left for Ferrari, has firm goals for the season:

'After one and a half years in a test role, I feel really prepared, both physically and mentally for a full race season. My objective is to be as strong and consistent as possible and give good feedback to the team to help them improve. For sure scoring points as many times as I can is going to be the key and you never know, perhaps we can get something more as well if everything comes together.'

Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal, also expressed his enthusiasm for the new car, adding: 'I don't think I am being over-proud when I say 2009 was an exceptional year for us. The bare statistics say it all: one podium, one pole position, one fastest lap, a further five top 10 starts and 13 points.

We've learnt from our experiences and we've come out a better team: resilient, resourceful and now resurgent. I hope 2010 will see this great progress carrying forward. We've got one podium so far but I would hope that, this time next year, I'm talking about more points and more podiums. I'm confident we can get this, why not aim high?'

The car will make its track debut at Jerez on Wednesday 10th February when the team joins the second test of the season. That date also sees the introduction of the new Red Bull RB6 and will feature the first appearance of one of the new teams alongside the existing outfits when Virgin racing makes its debut.

Written: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:26:40