Following the image reveal of its new Force India VJM07 last week, the team has officially launched its 2014 car.
The machine that Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez will race this season was uncovered in the Jerez pit lane ahead of the first winter test.
The Silverstone-based outfit posted a side-on image of their new car last week, revealing a new livery which adds black to the previous white, orange and green.
But we finally got to see the new car in all its glory as it was uncovered by the team's race drivers at Jerez. It will be powered by the new Mercedes V6 Turbo power-unit.
The car has, arguably, one of the most striking nose designs of the 2014 machines that we have seen so far. It has been painted black, but features a long and thin tip similar to the one seen on the Toro Rosso STR9.
Discussing how he is settling back in to life as a Force India driver, Nico Hulkenberg said: "I'm happy where I am: I fit in well here and I know the team. I think they are well prepared and also I think we're looking for the same things. Therefore I'm very comfortable and I'm looking forward to the coming weeks and months."
Commenting on the new regulations, he added: "It's exciting times, but there's not so much I can say at the moment – I think everybody is a bit in the dark in terms of how the car is going to behave, what it's going to be like, and also the driving sensation for us in the car. There are quite a few question marks still there and I think we can't really give you all the answers until we've been out on the track running.
"I think you need to be able to adjust to the required circumstances and adjust your driving style. It's not easy and it will be a big challenge for everyone involved. The drivers have to deal with fuel management and everything else as well, but I think that’s exciting. Going into the season I've never been in a situation like this in Formula One where we know so little about what to expect and what's coming."
Could they help to mix up the order? "I think it could be an opportunity, but it works in both directions, because the regulations are really so different. A lot has changed, especially on the engine side, so from that point of view it's impossible to predict anything. I'm sure there's an opportunity to do something special, but there's also an opportunity to make a mistake and to go the wrong way. We won't know until after the first couple of races."
He is expecting reliability to play a big part in the 2014 season and will race with the number 27 for the remainder of his career, which he is very happy about.
His team-mate Sergio Perez raced for McLaren last year but he was dropped after one season. Now, he has a new home at Force India. "I find the team very hungry for success," he said when asked what his first impressions of the team are. "They've had some good years in
the past, but they are looking to move forward and fight against the
top teams. I think this year is the biggest opportunity to do that."
Is he excited about the new rules? "I'm very excited. I'm joining a new team at a time when Formula One is entering an exciting new era, so I think that gives us good chance of doing well. It will be very important that we work very hard during winter testing to understand how everything works and how we are going to get the best out of the package that we have. I think that's the most important target for the testing."
Talking about the experience he now has after three years' racing in F1, he added: "I've got good experience from my Sauber days and also now from McLaren. The experience of 2013 made me a better driver, more complete in many areas, and I'm really hungry for success. I will be giving my maximum and I'm sure that people will be surprised by what I can do in 2014. I'm coming from a very difficult season with McLaren, with a very difficult car, but I'm very confident that I will be quite strong. Together with the team we will all be working very hard to have the success that we all want to have."
He will race with the number 11 for the remainder of his F1 career. He used the same number in karting and it was his first choice.
 |
| © Octane Photographic |
The Silverstone-based outfit posted a side-on image of their new car last week, revealing a new livery which adds black to the previous white, orange and green.
But we finally got to see the new car in all its glory as it was uncovered by the team's race drivers at Jerez. It will be powered by the new Mercedes V6 Turbo power-unit.
 |
| © Sahara Force India F1 Team |
Discussing how he is settling back in to life as a Force India driver, Nico Hulkenberg said: "I'm happy where I am: I fit in well here and I know the team. I think they are well prepared and also I think we're looking for the same things. Therefore I'm very comfortable and I'm looking forward to the coming weeks and months."
Commenting on the new regulations, he added: "It's exciting times, but there's not so much I can say at the moment – I think everybody is a bit in the dark in terms of how the car is going to behave, what it's going to be like, and also the driving sensation for us in the car. There are quite a few question marks still there and I think we can't really give you all the answers until we've been out on the track running.
"I think you need to be able to adjust to the required circumstances and adjust your driving style. It's not easy and it will be a big challenge for everyone involved. The drivers have to deal with fuel management and everything else as well, but I think that’s exciting. Going into the season I've never been in a situation like this in Formula One where we know so little about what to expect and what's coming."
Could they help to mix up the order? "I think it could be an opportunity, but it works in both directions, because the regulations are really so different. A lot has changed, especially on the engine side, so from that point of view it's impossible to predict anything. I'm sure there's an opportunity to do something special, but there's also an opportunity to make a mistake and to go the wrong way. We won't know until after the first couple of races."
He is expecting reliability to play a big part in the 2014 season and will race with the number 27 for the remainder of his career, which he is very happy about.
 |
|
© Sahara Force India F1 Team
|
Is he excited about the new rules? "I'm very excited. I'm joining a new team at a time when Formula One is entering an exciting new era, so I think that gives us good chance of doing well. It will be very important that we work very hard during winter testing to understand how everything works and how we are going to get the best out of the package that we have. I think that's the most important target for the testing."
Talking about the experience he now has after three years' racing in F1, he added: "I've got good experience from my Sauber days and also now from McLaren. The experience of 2013 made me a better driver, more complete in many areas, and I'm really hungry for success. I will be giving my maximum and I'm sure that people will be surprised by what I can do in 2014. I'm coming from a very difficult season with McLaren, with a very difficult car, but I'm very confident that I will be quite strong. Together with the team we will all be working very hard to have the success that we all want to have."
He will race with the number 11 for the remainder of his F1 career. He used the same number in karting and it was his first choice.
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