Force India unveiled its new 2015 livery and front nose design at launch event in Mexico.
Team drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez pulled the wraps off the new car livery in Mexico City, ahead of F1’s return to Mexico later this year.
The revised colour scheme was presented on Force India’s 2014 car following the team’s decision to delay the introduction of the new VJM08 until the second pre-season test of the year.The team confirmed on Tuesday that the VJM08 will not be present at next weekend’s Jerez test and will only make its debut in Barcelona in mid-February.
Although the VJM08 was not present at the livery launch, Force India say that it is an evolution of the VJM07 which will be used at the opening test of the year in Jerez and carried the team to sixth in the 2014 constructors’ standings.
“It’s another evolution of the contemporary look we introduced last year, which reflects the growth of the team and the global brands with which we are working,” said team principal Vijay Mallya.
“I love the addition of silver, which makes the car appear more sleek and aggressive and I’m sure it’s something that will appeal to the fans as well. Our traditional team colours remain integrated in the livery, but we’ve given it a very modern twist.”
“I’m very excited about 2015,” Sergio Perez added. “It’s my second season with this team so that always makes things easier. I feel very relaxed about the new season in a good way. The regulations are not changing and I believe that will benefit us as a team.
“It means the development from last year can continue and we don’t have to start everything from zero again. I like these regulations and the V6 engines helped produce close and competitive racing. At the end of 2014 I was feeling very confident in the car and I want to carry this momentum into the new season. I want more podiums in 2015.”
“I hope for spectacular things,” Nico Hulkenberg said discussing his 2015 aspirations. “That means scoring many points, great racing and lots of fun. I’m part of a team that is growing and hungry for more. 2014 was our best season yet so we need to aim to go a step further this year and give the teams ahead of us a harder time.”
Technical director Andrew Green said that changes will be most noticeable at the front end of the Mercedes-powered car, “The front of the car looks very different from what we had developed previously,” he said. “It is a redesign that involved a lot of work over the winter, as the new regulations caused a loss in terms of downforce and we’ve been working to claw back all that performance.”
Force India also said that the VJM08 will also feature other more subtle changes which include modified sculpting of the sidepods and new cooling intakes. There’ll also be a completely new rear suspension layout with a new hydro-mechanical system replacing the original torsion springs.
Here’s a gallery of the new Force India VJM08 livery.
