Force India Begin Testing In Barcelona

The new kids on the block Force India gave their formula 1 racing car (the VJM01) a run during their first tests at Barcelona today.

The VJM01 Racing car was named as a tribute to the owners of Force India Dr.Vijay Mallya, an and Michiel Mol. The car has made huge technological advances compared to it’s predessesor (the spyker that launched in 2007).

“We have carried the chassis over from 2007 to 2008, but the car we run at the Australian Grand Prix will have numerous aerodynamic and mechanical updates, which we will be testing from 25 - 27 February at Barcelona before the first race,” explained chief technical officer, Mike Gascoyne.

Mechanically, as well as aerodynamically, the chassis has also been updated. Last season the rear suspension geometry was significantly revised, with the rotary dampers replaced with linear ones, and a new gearbox design targeted at complying with the new 2008 gearbox rules where each ‘box must be used for four races. The engine installation was also reviewed to make cooling resources lighter, more compact and much more efficient.

Despite only road testing the new car just two weeks before the start of the ’2008 formula 1 season, Gascoyne believes the team will not be a disadvantage during this seasons races. “We’ve been testing new parts and looking at reliability,” he added. “It’s just one update we have coming along for the last test and it will be mostly aerodynamic and will have no real impact on reliability.

“I am not worried that we are just testing them for the first time a very short while before the season as this has been done to give us the maximum time possible in the wind tunnel.

“Over the winter we have really been working with the new drivers, and we’ve certainly shown a new level of competitiveness, which is something that will benefit us going forward. There has been a lot of work going on in the background and we should look to go to Australia and be very reliable, especially in the first few races and pick up whatever we can.”