Force India VJM-04 Launch

[E90SLAM]

Finally, Force India launched the VJM-04 car. The last team to reveal their 2011 competitor.

Force India has launched its 2011 car, the VJM-04.

It will carry the hopes of Adrian Sutil and British rookie Paul di Resta this season, while Nico Hulkenberg will test at Friday practice sessions at selected grands prix. It is the first Force India to be overseen by new technical director Andy Green and the third to feature a Mercedes engine and McLaren hydraulics package.

The team finished seventh in the constructors' title in 2010, just one point behind Williams, and team owner Vijay Mallya is expecting an even more competitive season in 2011.

"This year there is even more to be optimistic about," he said. "We've got three race drivers that are hungry to take the next steps in their careers, whether that be points, podiums or wins. We have an experienced technical team that have the ingenuity, flexibility and drive to adapt to the new wave of rule changes, and we also have the tools and resources in our partnerships with McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines to aim even higher.

"Not to mention the very special event, and one that I personally can't wait for, the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. What better place would there be to reach some of those aims than on our home soil?"

The car features a blade roll-hoop that was pioneered by Mercedes last year and adopted by Lotus this year, but Green said there are plenty of other changes under the bodywork.

"Everything is different, but visually a lot of it is subtle," Green said. "The most obvious visual change is that we've gone away from a conventional roll-hoop to a blade. This gives us a small packaging improvement compared to a more conventional style. The engine cover is different, in-line with the abolition of the F-duct system. But there are a lot of differences under the skin that people won't necessarily notice."

He also revealed that the exhaust blown diffuser would be completely revised before the start of the season.

'Exhaust management will also be a big area of development this year," he said. "There will be an upgrade for the first race, so there are some changes that will come into effect at the Bahrain test. Further down the line there are some big updates for the front of the car coming in for the first European race."

The VJM-04 will hit the track for the first time at the second pre-season test on Thursday after the team opted to evaluate the new Pirelli tyres on last year's chassis at the first test at Valencia.

http://en.espnf1.com/forceindia/moto...ory/40295.html

[KingOfJericho]

I know it's Indian but it looks so Irish!

[pixelblue]

Any team using bmw power plant?

[escobar929]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I know it's Indian but it looks so Irish!

haha, thats the 1st thing that came to mind

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I know it's Indian but it looks so Irish!

Probably coz Kingfisher is also a beer brewer???

[ianbiz]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Probably coz Kingfisher is also a beer brewer???

and there is a scotch on the side

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by pixelblue

Any team using bmw power plant?

BMW hasn't been in the sport since 2009. Last season with BMW Sauber BMW was just a name and saber had it changed and is now on Ferrari (?) power.

[shaizada]

Damn, Desi boys in da hood! That would be my daily driver, if I had things my way

[pixelblue]

Thanks. So bmw just let them use the name with nothing more? What was the point?

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

BMW hasn't been in the sport since 2009. Last season with BMW Sauber BMW was just a name and saber had it changed and is now on Ferrari (?) power.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by pixelblue

Thanks. So bmw just let them use the name with nothing more? What was the point?

The BMW name license extended into the 2010 season. Saber finally got the rights to the full name halfway through last season. It was the lawyers that kept BMW in the team name...nothing more

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by pixelblue

Thanks. So bmw just let them use the name with nothing more? What was the point?

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

The BMW name license extended into the 2010 season. Saber finally got the rights to the full name halfway through last season. It was the lawyers that kept BMW in the team name...nothing more

http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...D=354291&FS=F1

Peter Sauber decided not to submit a "name change" to the FIA and FOM before the 2010 season. Due to legal issues, late submittal issues, and the concorde agreement. And BMW AG allowed Peter Sauber to use the name for one more year, even without a single BMW component.

[pixelblue]

^ gotcha. thanks

[E90SLAM]

Jerez Testing Day 1

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Jerez Testing Day 2

[Zoli007]

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/2011/0/816.html

VERY confused... Straight from the F1 website it says blade style roll hoops are now outlawed. But the Force India has it.... I dun get it

[1on135_deal]

good post i hope to see bmw in f1 =o near future.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by Zoli007

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/2011/0/816.html

VERY confused... Straight from the F1 website it says blade style roll hoops are now outlawed. But the Force India has it.... I dun get it

15.2.4 - The principal roll structure must have a minimum enclosed structural cross section of 10000mm², in vertical projection, across a horizontal plane 50mm below its highest point. The area thus established must not exceed 200mm in length or width and may not be less than 10000mm2 below this point.

I'd say Force India is playing with numbers.

[E90SLAM]

Jerez Test Day 3

[E90SLAM]

Jerez Test Day 4

[E90SLAM]

Barcelona Test Day 2

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Barcelona Test Day 3

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Barcelona Test Day 4