Force India have revealed their 2010 F1 car, the VJM03.
The team say the car is an evolution of last year’s VJM02 – but they expect it to be strong on more than just low-downforce tracks. Here are the first pictures of the VJM03.The team are using Mercedes engines for the second year in a row. They are one of few teams to being 2010 with the same drivers they ended 2009 with – Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi.
Liuzzi will give the car its first public run during testing at Jerez tomorrow.
The team has also announced Paul di Resta has joined them as a reserve driver and will participate during some Grand Prix weekends on Fridays.
Designer Mark Smith said the new car is an evolution of last year’s VJM02, which scored the team’s first ever points with second place at Spa:
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The VJM03 is definitely an evolution of the VJM02 in terms of the design philosophies we have developed at Force India over the last year. We are very happy with the direction, therefore we have opted to evolve the car rather than significantly revise.
Obviously one of the major aspects we have had to contend with are regulation changes which have had a considerable impact on some aspects of the design of the car. The removal of refuelling from races increases the amount of fuel needed to be stored in the cars – almost twice the amount we ran in 2009. There is a compromise now: either make the car much longer or wider, or, as we have done, a combination of both. This of course has influenced the mechanical design solutions and also the aerodynamics, specifically with respects to the diffuser and bodywork.
Even with the ban of double diffusers for 2011, we recognise that we still have to push as much as we possibly can in this area in 2010 as we have targets to meet and the double diffuser is a key development aspect of the car.
The VJM02 was a relatively low drag car that showed well on the low downforce tracks. As was demonstrated throughout 2009, that was a useful attribute but as we go into 2010 we have tried to maintain a high level of aerodynamic efficiency, but we recognise that our championship position will be enhanced by a general level of performance that is suited to all types of circuits. We have, we believe, quite an efficient car overall.
Mark Smith
Read more from the team: Sutil, Liuzzi and Szafnauer interviews
Force India VJM03 launch pictures
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Force India VJM03 launch video
2010 F1 car launches
- Virgin Racing launch VR-01 (Pictures)
- Renault R30 launched (Pictures)
- BMW Sauber C29 launched (Pictures)
- McLaren and Ferrari’s 2010 cars side-by-side (Pictures)
- Compare the new McLaren MP4-25 with last year’s car (Pictures)
- McLaren MP4-25 launch pictures
- 2010 Ferrari F10 and 2009 Ferrari F60 side-by-side (Pictures)
- Ferrari 2010 F1 car pictures
Becken
9th February 2010, 8:35
You beat Autosport!
GeeMac
9th February 2010, 8:37
Keith always beats autosport!
Good looking car. I’m a fan of the orange, white and green livery.
Becken
9th February 2010, 12:38
In fact, he even beaten the Force India own site…
Nick
9th February 2010, 8:38
Quite uninspired, I had a my fingers crossed they were going to do something good this year after an impressive run towards the end of 09. Having said that one thing I have come to realise over the years is a car doesn’t need to look fast to be fast.
Tim
9th February 2010, 9:24
By the end of 2009 the VJM02 was a fairly handy chassis and the Mercedes engine remains the benchmark.
With that in mind, a logical development of the VJM02 (which is what the VJM03 appears to be) around the larger fuel tank is a sensible solution, especially for a team on a tight budget. The new car looks fairly neat and tidy. Unless Force India have made any major design errors, the VJM03 should keep the team well ahead of STR and the new entrants while allowing them to scrap with Renault, Williams and Sauber for points.
Sadly, modern F1 regulations are so tightly defined that the days of Colin Chapman/Gordon Murray-style great leaps forward and F1 cars looking radically different from one another are over.
John H
9th February 2010, 21:42
Have a closer look. This car has a few nice suprises it seems.
Kovy
9th February 2010, 8:40
I formally request we ban shark fins.
Dingle Dell
9th February 2010, 9:08
I second that! We need all teams’ mutual agreement to ban this fugly shark fin, all freakin’ thanks to Red Bull started this in 2008. Holy cow!
MarkC
9th February 2010, 11:40
It’s great advertising space, they’ll be staying me thinks.
Bullfrog
9th February 2010, 14:15
No one needs the extra ad space – the teams don’t have enough sponsors to cover the rest of the car!
And this fin (like the McLaren one) hides the logo on the rear wing. Who are Isher? What does Kingf sell?
JV
10th February 2010, 4:22
Kinfisher is bear brand and kingfisher airlines.
Alex White
9th February 2010, 9:59
Denied – I think they look awesome!
I hope Force India do well this season, really love the livery as well. shame 90% of everyone go “OH No – its exactly the same as last years.” -So ? :S it looks good , they dont NEED to change it.. so why change it?
Sush Meerkat
9th February 2010, 13:23
Yeah, Ferrari need to use another livery as well.
K
9th February 2010, 16:59
Shark Fins look cool. The new McLaren looks hot. No ban on Shark fins.
Clay
9th February 2010, 22:03
I agree – they’re awesome.
Vikas
9th February 2010, 8:40
Those are the colours of our national flag geemac :)
GeeMac
9th February 2010, 8:46
I know I know. What I meant to say was that the VJM01 had that gold, red and white look which didn’t quite work. So I’m glad they stuck with the VJM02’s orange white and green livery.
Calum
9th February 2010, 13:02
I like the fct they have kept it becuause it gives a uniform and offers stability to a grid slot that has had so many names throughout the years. Forece India incarnation has lasted 3 years now , I hope they remain to show they aren’t just making up numbers.
Bullfrog
9th February 2010, 14:19
I think the colours look great too, and it doesn’t matter any more that it looks like a Toyota on TV…
varun
9th February 2010, 8:42
I thought those winglets they have near the cockpit were illegal 2009 onwards..
And their website is down..no surprises there??
ajokay
9th February 2010, 8:42
Looks very simple against what we’ve seen already, much like the Renault. The livery looks good though, another of few that works with the green Bridgestones. I hope they have a decent year this year. I’m sure they can be semi-regular points scorers what with the kitty stretching all the way to 10th now.
Still think the shark fins and sidepod veins should be banned though, they really ruin the look of the cars.
Dr. Gonzo
9th February 2010, 11:16
How would they get water and oil back to the engine without Sidepod Veins??? :-)
ajokay
9th February 2010, 11:39
I don’t get it…
ajokay
9th February 2010, 11:41
Wait, yes I do! I would have thought these technological cars probably use something far superior to veins… like anti-gravity, or fairy dust, or something
K
9th February 2010, 16:59
Or LSD.
Deurmat
9th February 2010, 8:43
the nose looks like renault form last year
the Sri Lankan
9th February 2010, 20:04
i was about to say that. i hate it
MikeinBeijing
9th February 2010, 8:44
Looking good!
I hope they don’t have to wait until Spa to shine.
Hairs
9th February 2010, 8:45
Shark fin looks Veeeeeery like McLaren’s interpretation. Are they using a flat BMW nose? Very conservative design, but we haven’t seen the diffuser yet.
Dev
9th February 2010, 12:09
i guess force guys had the same sharkfin last year, i guess it was part of Monza or Spa upgrade..
Adrian
9th February 2010, 8:46
I like it… nuff said!!
Vikas
9th February 2010, 8:46
@ varun… appendages are allowed to within a certain radius around the cockpit
Dingle Dell
9th February 2010, 9:11
Hope those appendages are banned as well in the coming season. They look ugly and a way to fix outboard mirrors to the cars. I miss inboard mirrors so dearly that now only Renault, McLaren and Mercedes GP have them. Freaking thanks to Ferrari for starting this up.
sijs
9th February 2010, 8:49
Looks good!! de nose seems a lot different!!
JV
9th February 2010, 8:52
Car looks good.I love this livery and hope they will score consistently this year.
Offnya
9th February 2010, 8:53
Looking really good!
GeeMac
9th February 2010, 8:54
Adrian Sutil = Worst helmet design of 2010?
Dingle Dell
9th February 2010, 9:12
He has changed his helmet livery when Force India launced the VJM01 with that gold-ish livery. Sad, I prefer his original helmet when he first entered F1.
sumedh
9th February 2010, 8:57
Is it the longest car in the field now?
From the photos atleast, it looks to be extremely long. Or is it just me?
It is now the car with most alcoholic brands on it :) :)
I counted 4, and plenty of small other names. The company’s health seems sound, inspite of those notices being served to them.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th February 2010, 9:08
Is that Royal Challenge and Signature along with Whyte & Mackay and Kingfisher? Don’t recognise the first two.
sijs
9th February 2010, 9:27
They are top brand alcohols in India.. also part of UB.. not sure if they are marketed to UK..
TheGreatCornholio
9th February 2010, 10:21
Kingfisher is a quid a bottle in Morrisons right now! Cracking beer. Lol
din
9th February 2010, 9:29
All are brands owned by Mallya.
5600K
9th February 2010, 9:35
Oh yes thats Royal Challenge and signature right there… It almost looks like theyre goin to run VJM03 on alcohol this year..
Calum
9th February 2010, 15:43
Is there anything in the white & mackay glasgow sponsor and new scottish race ace being with force India this year. I am hoping – being a Scot and all that – hoping I get a chance to cheer for another native. It seems a while since coulthard was on the track, until this happens I’m afraid it’s mclaren all the way!
Partha
9th February 2010, 9:00
This looks like 2009 VJM 02. I cant see the front tires smaller than the rear ones.
Ed
9th February 2010, 9:03
Another car quite devoid of sponsors, apart from Mallya’s own companies/brands (Kingfisher, White & Mackay, Signature and Royal Challenge)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th February 2010, 9:06
Does Mallya own Whyte & Mackay? I thought their connection was that they were di Resta’s sponsor.
varun
9th February 2010, 9:09
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whyte_and_Mackay
owned by UB,which is owned by mallya..
sijs
9th February 2010, 9:12
Whyte and Machey is a part of Mallya owned UB group.. But still they have lost one sponsor from last year-Reliance..
varun
9th February 2010, 9:17
they have lost icici as well..
gained reebok i think..
Ed
9th February 2010, 9:23
Icici left the team some time between the 2009 launch and Australia.
Reebok have been there since Malaysia 2009.
They have lost Reliance though
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th February 2010, 9:23
Good spots on the sponsors. I think Reebok were signed during the course of last season.
speed0462
9th February 2010, 10:45
they even lost gitanjali brand which was positioned just above Whyte & Mackay on side pode
JV
9th February 2010, 11:00
They gained Zapak though
Vikas
9th February 2010, 9:11
Keith… whyte and mackay was on the car even last year
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th February 2010, 9:14
Yeah I know.
PJA
9th February 2010, 9:24
The car looks okay, maybe because the shark fin is white and the background in these pictures is white but for me the shark fin doesn�t look as bad as on some of the other cars. But I still don�t like the side pod aero pieces where they have mounted the mirrors, if I could ban one piece of aero on the grounds of looks I think it would be those rather than the shark fin.
din
9th February 2010, 9:25
I quite like their launch video available in their website.
varun
9th February 2010, 9:30
Not loading for me.. Shud try again later??
Can u post the link pls??
din
9th February 2010, 9:52
its on their site or rather try downloading it directly http://www.forceindiaf1.com/backoffice/video_converter/flvideo/104.flv
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th February 2010, 9:28
The front nose looks very R29.
varun
9th February 2010, 9:31
And that really really scares me.. Worries me rather..
JV
9th February 2010, 9:34
It worries me too.Why Renault????
JV
9th February 2010, 9:50
Keith Can you upload the pics of Diffuser?
maciek
9th February 2010, 9:54
Have to disagree, R29 nose was a lot stubbier/bulkier.
At first sight I didn’t think much of the car, but on closer inspection there’s a lot of interesting detailing on there – especially underneath the front section in the “snow-plough” zone.
MarkC
9th February 2010, 11:53
Agree. To me it looks like they’ve spent a fair chunk of change under that nose, feeding the floor and sides inside and outside the bargeboard / sidepods.
Another team with downward pointing brake ducts.
K
9th February 2010, 17:20
It really doesn’t look like the R29. If I’d worked on the FI nose I’d be very offended. It looks much more similar to the VJM02 nose. It’s much sleeker and less cumbersome than the R29, it’s hard not to be.
You won’t see a nose like the R29s this year because it restricts air flow to the diffuser.
http://i50.tinypic.com/22yqvq.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/1zxuutk.jpg
Nok1z
9th February 2010, 9:28
wow… the car looks great.
din
9th February 2010, 9:41
Keith, can you do the usual comparison. VJM02 vs VJM03.
Do you have pics of the diffuser?
BasCB
9th February 2010, 10:55
follow the link to Craig Scarborough’s post Keith included here:
https://www.racefans.net/2010/02/09/force-india-vjm03-and-vjm02-compared/
He has a drawing and comments on their diffuser design.
Meander
9th February 2010, 9:57
For some reason this car still looks like a low downforce runner to me. Hope it’s less of a niche car than last year’s though.
Satish
9th February 2010, 9:59
LOL at crash happy Sutil in the second pic
sato113
9th February 2010, 12:21
ha, looks like he can’t wait to smash up the grid!
Robert McKay
9th February 2010, 10:12
Interesting that Mark Smith has said they are planning to go back and put the adjustable front wing flaps on the car, which they stopped bothering with during last season, since they think there may be more scope for using them this year.
TheGreatCornholio
9th February 2010, 10:37
Hopefully thats an indication that this years car will be able to make better use over a wider range of tracks! Hope so, really like these guys. Used to love Minardi who were always underdogs but knew how to have fun! Was totally gutted when Kimi got past Fisi at Spa last year, i even swore in front of my little boy! Whoops.
Tim
9th February 2010, 13:21
Probably more an indication that being able to adjust the front wing during the race will be more useful to adapt to changing fuel loads.
BasCB
9th February 2010, 12:38
Do de front wing flaps enable the driver to adapt better to changing fuel loads?
That would be a good reason to get good at using them.
BBT
9th February 2010, 10:23
Personally I like it.
Pat
9th February 2010, 10:36
Initial feeling is it looks like a mish mash of last years Renault (nose) with last years Brawn front wing and Red Bulls 2008 side pods (front view)
prudhwi
9th February 2010, 10:47
Inimitable !!!!!
graigchq
9th February 2010, 11:01
I’m a general F1 fan rather than a follower of any one team, obviously being british, i cheered button on to the end last year, and thought it was a deserved victory, but aside from that, i’m rather a sucker for the underdog-coming-good. In that respect, i wish Vijay, Sutil and Liuzzi all the best this year, they work hard, settle for what points they can get, and i truly hope that they show the “new” guys how a small low-budget team should be run… go for points, hold your own, don’t be upset with low qualifying positions, and unlike Ferrari, just because they’re not winning, don’t just give up to concentrate on next year’s car.
Go Force India, i predict their first F1 win this year, and really hope that it happens for them, there isn’t a more deserving group of people in the paddock in my opinion!!
And what a fantastic looking car by the way!!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
9th February 2010, 11:23
Some comments have been deleted. Trolling and insulting other commenters is not allowed: F1Fanatic Comment Policy
Calum
9th February 2010, 15:50
What does trolling mean, keith?
K
9th February 2010, 17:58
“Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing other people on the internet, generally on message boards”
All though there can be a fine line between trolling and playing devil’s advocate or being someone who generally holds contrary opinions. More uptight internet communities often consider people who express views outside their own to be trolls no matter how logical or reasonable the view is.
nick
9th February 2010, 11:35
it looks clean
BasCB
9th February 2010, 11:50
I think Fore India did a good job with their means.
They now have an OK technical team, engineering support from one of the best teams in F1, probably the Benchmark engine.
The car looks an improved version of last years car. As last years car was not to bad, showing real good on fast tracks, this is a good sign.
The livery is a little bit nicer, with simpler lines.
Yes i like it, hope the new teams will all be at this level or better in a year or 2.
BBQ2
9th February 2010, 11:55
Thanks Keith for bringing some sanity here. I am not used to pple insulting others on this forum, that is why iam always here for good info.
Good work mate! Keep it up!!
Damon
9th February 2010, 12:02
Farce India and Renault are the only new cars so far that aren’t last year’s RB clones.
It’s quite surprising that even though Brawn was the winning car last year, nobody has decided to base their new aerodynamical design on last year’s Brawn.
Usually the field was split in two main directions as far as the approach in building the chassis.
This year the engineers have almost unanimously declared Adrian Newey’s last year’s Red Bull as having the superior solutions.
That’s quite inmpressive I must say.
matt88
9th February 2010, 12:41
farce india? is that a slip of the tongue? :D
iceshiel
9th February 2010, 14:08
The FI actually has the Red Bull V-shaped nose, although it is rather small.
Thomas
10th February 2010, 0:50
What about sauber? they’ve made a pretty radical car
Ylan Marcel
9th February 2010, 12:34
My God! The same colours and the same design of 2009 car! Criativity is low there…
Damon
9th February 2010, 12:38
That’s only because of your poor observation and lack of attention to detail.
luigismen
9th February 2010, 13:42
Beside, they DON’T have to change the livery every year… If a livery is good, why change it?
silverstone
9th February 2010, 12:36
Looks good. Let’s hope they can improve on last year’s performance.
Matt
9th February 2010, 12:38
Does anyone know why there is a small wing only on one side of the airbox?
thestig84
9th February 2010, 13:50
That is a camera mount
three4three
9th February 2010, 12:44
Looks good, not a lot to add really, except the snowplough area seems well developed. Oh and FI I think is the only car on which the green ‘eco’ striped tyres look good! Anyone know what the zigzag where the mirrors used to be is for (on fourth studio shot from above)?
And I’m loving Liuzzi’s helmet, class!
Macca
9th February 2010, 13:21
Liuzzi’s helmet looks the awesome.
Vikas
9th February 2010, 14:52
Here are more pics guys! http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7922&start=15
Damon
9th February 2010, 15:15
This one might be good to swap with the current one:
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9403/vjm0809.jpg
Damon
9th February 2010, 15:16
It obiously should be 2009 and 2010.
Pete
9th February 2010, 16:22
It looks like Force India have taken a similar approach to the diffuser that Red Bull did last year. However, as Red Bull lowered and flattened the rear of the car over the diffuser in order to create a path of air to pull air out of the diffuser, it looks like Force India have raised the diffuser exit and then narrowed the rear of car towards this raised center section of the diffuser.
Jacob
9th February 2010, 17:21
dunno, where to write this as there is no forum, here is a pic of the new lotus 2010 car
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81365
sato113
9th February 2010, 17:22
loving the colours. ver nice indeed. very short nose?
doncakes
9th February 2010, 17:34
Force India is official. We will see if they can improve on last years podium.
I cant wait to see the Red Bull and USF1 cars!
VXR
9th February 2010, 18:46
I wouldn’t hold your breath too long for one of them.
Gusto
9th February 2010, 18:07
Have you noticed where the mirrors are attached?, they will be as good as useless.
Gusto
9th February 2010, 18:30
I meant to ask this ages ago, were do you think the wing settings we see on the presentation cars would be used, its defo not Monza but not quite Monaco?
Harvs
9th February 2010, 21:33
really good looking car! big improvement from last years car!
Etienne Peters
9th February 2010, 21:41
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81365
PHOTO LEAKED FROM LOTUS!!!
Prisoner Monnkeys
9th February 2010, 23:09
Meh. Nothing super-exciting – though I do like Luizzi’s new helmet design.
SeattleChris
10th February 2010, 2:09
We have mini mart’s called 7-11 in the States here that use those colors… They are both ugly and don’t make sense (7-11 is open 24 hours a day …since forever).
Additionally, the more white a car has the uglier it is. Orange and Green balanced? ugh. Make one color more predominate for crying out loud!
wasiF1
10th February 2010, 2:21
It will be interesting to see how Force India (Kingfisher Airlines)performs relative to Lotus (Air-Asia) & Virgin (Virgin Airlines)
Lew-Lew
10th February 2010, 2:38
It’ll beat them … easily
dj
10th February 2010, 2:43
maybe not ,if they can’t come up with 25 extra million
Vikas
10th February 2010, 6:36
remember Mr mallya is a billionaire
Gaurav
10th February 2010, 15:02
looks awesome. Go India.
Tyree Aitken
10th February 2010, 19:48
Nice article, i am seeing here different commands also thanks for sharing. happens all the time
Follow me on Twitter
Chaz
28th February 2010, 14:13
Great detail on the front wing…
Baboo Sudra
4th March 2010, 19:28
very good looking car..differs from other and ofcource carrries national flag of india..yes this is the car. thats it. i hope adrian have a kingfisher ..ha. ha..
manjunath prasad
14th March 2010, 4:51
good luck for f-1 VJM03.
manjunath prasad
14th March 2010, 4:55
vijay malya is the one and only man that helps to indian sports.hats of to vijay malya.common india dikhado.
Baboo Sudra
16th March 2010, 20:03
what about indian driver..malliya is not helping indian drivers or sport…even burnie told him…get rid of italian and get indian mr,malliya…
Baboo Sudra
15th March 2010, 10:27
the car is good..but the driver should keep their head.i would prefer karun chandock to be in a indian team..when is maliya going to learn this ..he has engine german ok car driver another shouk=ld be indian.what do you say….
pritesh
16th March 2010, 19:38
I love VJMO3.
The sound is awesome.
pritesh
16th March 2010, 19:41
Happy with 2 points………..
next race with 25 point …………..?///
pritesh
16th March 2010, 19:44
I hope in, 2011 …………the last race in india.”’
Baboo Sudra
30th June 2010, 11:11
when will force india boss vjm give atleast one fee bottle of kingfisher to the loyal fans…..now that they have started scoring points…i bet adrian get his free share of beer evrytime he completes the race..what do you say fans..regards and all the best..fi