Force India reveal their new VJM02 - first pictures

[Giuseppe F1]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73469

http://www.autosport.com/images/upload/1235821591.jpg


Force India reveal their new VJM02

By Matt Beer
Saturday, February 28th 2009, 11:45 GMT

Force India VJM02Force India have released the first images of their 2009 Formula One contender ahead of its track debut at Jerez tomorrow.

The VJM02 marks the start of Force India's new technical partnership with McLaren and Mercedes, who have provided the car's engine, gearbox and Kinetic Energy Recovery System.

The car features a significantly different livery, with the green, white and orange Indian national colours taking precedence. It was shaken down in a private test at Silverstone earlier this week.

After a frustrating 2008 season in which they failed to score a point, Force India hope that their collaboration with McLaren-Mercedes will result in huge progress over the next two years.

"At least from my perspective, winning races I think I can certainly aspire for maybe in 2010, but for 2009 I would be happy if we are regularly in the points," said team co-owner Vijay Mallya at the announcement of the McLaren-Mercedes deal last November. "That would be already a major step forward."

Adrian Sutil, Force India shakedown test 2009Mallya has taken greater control of the team over the winter, with both former chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne and team principal Colin Kolles being released from their contracts at the end of the 2008 season. Mark Smith and James Key are now in charge of car design, while Simon Roberts has moved across from McLaren to become chief operating officer.

However Force India have retained their 2008 driver line-up, with Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil continuing in the race seats and Vitantonio Liuzzi staying on as reserve.

[Giuseppe F1]

I see what theyve done wiuth the 'India' livery but I think their 08 livery was one of the best - shame

No Mercedes branding too it seems

[Giuseppe F1]

http://www.sutton-images.com/previews/dfi0926fe88.jpg

http://www.sutton-images.com/previews/dfi0926fe10.jpg

http://www.sutton-images.com/previews/dfi0926fe07.jpg

http://www.sutton-images.com/previews/dfi0926fe34.jpg


Liuzzi looks different here!!:

http://www.sutton-images.com/previews/dfi0926fe109.jpg

[rob01]

at least they'll beat honda if they make it!

[ChrisS]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_7.jpg
Why are they holding the Barclays premier league trophy?

more pics
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_2.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_3.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_4.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_5.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_6.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_7.jpg
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_8.jpg

[Giuseppe F1]

interesting wing-mirror aero treatment:

http://www.pitpass.com/images/galleries/2009launchforceindia/2009launchforceindia_s018.jpg

[Sonic]

I see what theyve done wiuth the 'India' livery but I think their 08 livery was one of the best - shame

It was also quite easy to think a Force India was a McLaren at a distance on TV....

As fro the car its got some interesting looking pieces on it but do they seriously think race wins are likely in 2010??? I mean COME ON!

[wedge]

I'm surprised. I thought it would resemble a McLaren exterior wise but they've gone and done their own thing.

Nice that they incorporated their signature wing mirrors.

Interesting shield/deflector - has a splitter/winglet near the bottom.

Probably one of, if not, thee best looking car as it most resemble a 90s F1 car.

[52Paddy]

but do they seriously think race wins are likely in 2010??? I mean COME ON!

Hope: The best and the worst thing in the world, depending...

[jonny hurlock]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_7.jpg
Why are they holding the Barclays premier league trophy?



one of the oddest pics i have ever seen


I'm surprised. I thought it would resemble a McLaren exterior wise but they've gone and done their own thing.

Nice that they incorporated their signature wing mirrors.

Interesting shield/deflector - has a splitter/winglet near the bottom.

Probably one of, if not, thee best looking car as it most resemble a 90s F1 car.

looks like at the front 1994-1998 benetton, at a glance i thought it was doing another earth dream like honda, with the green, thank god it wasn't, with the livery it looks good overall

[gloomyDAY]

Indian or Irish?

[benjabulle]

The Force India and all the 2009 F1 in high resolution photos :

http://www.gurneyflap.com/formule109.html

[jens]

Considering, how different all the so-far launched F1 cars have looked liked, it was interesting to witness, how have the alleged biggest underdogs prepared for the new season. Well, by pure looks their machinery doesn't look any worse than others' and comes across as a proper racing car and first impression doesn't give any notable disadvantages. Besides Red Bull and Toyota they have also opted for the slim nose version. Livery looks... "nice" too to put it that way. Interesting that none of the photos once again cover the diffuser section. During the next days we'll hopefully get an answer about their approach in that particular area.

Nonetheless I'm afraid it's difficult to expect them to match any of the 7 launched cars, but hopefully they can spring a few surprises in 2009, especially in the wet, and score a few points, which they deserved already last year due to the progress they showed during the course of the season.

[millencolin]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/forceindiaf1team_2009livery_7.jpg
Why are they holding the Barclays premier league trophy?



OK now im confused.... Seriously, i dont get it? I didnt know Force India were also Manchester United...

[truefan72]

hmm, the car looks more interesting but is completely sullied by this A1GP style livery. I understand the name force India, but last years look was pretty nice and the testing look last year was even nicer. This looks like forced nationalism to me that has very little appeal other than appeasing the complex of the the owner. Frankly, it is rather dull.

Much nicer IMO

If they added a bit more of that red and gold it would be nice

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2008/tes/f1-2008-tes-xp-0126.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2008/tes/f1-2008-tes-xp-0422.jpg

I hope USF1 does not show up ni some sort of red, white and blue, stars and strpies livery. LOL

[Tazio]

The green Stones should blend quite nicely with this livery! :)

[Hawkmoon]

I like the colours but I think they could have done a better job with the livery.

I think the Ferrari has the best livery (and no, I won't take off my Rosso-tinted glasses :p ) and the Renault the worst. My god that Renault is an ugly car!

The 2009 designs seem to suit uncluttered liveries, at least to my eye. I think Force India could have used India's sky blue sporting colours with the Indian flag colours as trim.

There's always too much white on the grid: BMW, Toyota, Williams, Force India. Let's hope the Team-Formerly-Known-As-Tyrrell/British American Racing/BAR/Honda don't use a predominantly white car as well.

[K-Pu]

Nice, at least they have quite different colours from the rest

[Storm]

Indian or Irish?

They are the same 3 colours on the flag but I think the Irish flag has the vertical bands while ours are horizontal with a 24 spoke Ashok Chakra (wheel) at the centre...which they haven't used anywhere like Karthikeyan used to have it on top of his helmet.
I love the livery, well I would, wouldn't I?....not that I think they will win anything..even getting points would be great.

[Big Ben]

OK now im confused.... Seriously, i dont get it? I didnt know Force India were also Manchester United...

yeah... what's the catch? i don't get it.

[Storm]

oooh recent rumour was that Man U was looking at an Indian sponsor when AIG leaves (next year) and Sahara were in the running....could it be possible that we see "Kingfisher" on those red jerseys instead!

[Malbec]

So Force India have lost Etihad, and the bosses company has had to step in to be title sponsor.... Things aren't looking so good for the team are they? Given Mallya's difficulties with his airline I wonder how long he can afford to stay interested with F1?

I also don't think raising expectations by demanding points finishes from his team is the way to go, particularly when his team is the least prepared bar Honda given the last minute engine supply switch.

[wmcot]

Indian or Irish?

...depends on who's got the money...