Force India presents in turn its new single-seater, the VJM-03

This Tuesday morning, Force India became the 8th Formula 1 team to unveil its new car. The Indian team revealed the VJM-03 on its website and will start testing it tomorrow in Jerez, continuing until Sunday if the weather permits.

The single-seater features a design somewhat similar to last season, although the nose is more prominent. The colors remain the same, with less presence of orange, still representing the Indian flag.

The VJM-03 has opted for mirrors detached from the car, resting on ‘appendices’ at the front of the sidepods. Like other cars, the engine cover seems to perfectly fit the curves of its V8.

The front and rear wings have been reworked, as well as the shark fin, which is even longer than on the VJM02.

Last year, the team scored its first points and its first podium with a second place in Belgium. This season, its technical director, Mark Smith, is aiming for the same, or even better.

« We were very inconsistent last year, but we are happy with the season, » he comments from the Force India base in Silverstone.

« Everyone can find a car interesting from a design perspective, but the important thing is to know perfectly how to make it work and understand every reaction it may have. »

« We did not look at the photos of other teams thinking, ‘maybe we missed something here or there…’ and we are very confident and excited to be in Jerez at the end of the week! »

The Indian team is still led by Vijay Mallya, a wealthy Indian businessman, and has retained its two main drivers at the end of the 2009 season, namely: Liuzzi and Sutil. Paul di Resta will be the reserve driver.