Force India assures that it will be present in Melbourne

Skipping the first days of winter testing is never a good sign. The Force India team, whose financial difficulties are well known, had to make this choice, justified as strategic by the team’s management.

Andrew Green, the technical director of the team, notably stated on this subject: « The problem with Jerez is that, due to its particular tarmac, it is very difficult to learn anything about the tires. So we don’t think there will be much for us to do there. »

It seems, however, that the new VJM08 is not yet ready, which should force the team to attend the next private test sessions in Barcelona (from February 16 to 22) with the old 2014 VJM07, as confirmed to *Autosport* by Bob Fernley, the sporting director: « Given the workload and the timelines involved, we now know that it will be more difficult to do the first Barcelona tests [with the new car]. Everyone is working to try to get there, but it is much more likely that the VJM08 will be operational for the last tests in Barcelona at the end of February. This means we will use the 2014 car in the next test sessions. The mileage on the VJM07 will still allow us to run with Pirelli’s 2015 tires. »

Significant doubts weigh on the team’s presence in Melbourne for the first Grand Prix of the season next March. But once again, Fernley wants to be reassuring: “We will be in Melbourne for the start of the season, there is no doubt about it. Indeed, the time spent in testing with our new car will be limited. But we will do everything possible to arrive in Australia in the best conditions and with as much mileage as possible with the new car.”

A delay in the manufacturing of certain essential parts would be the main cause of the problems encountered by Force India according to Fernley: « We are still waiting for the delivery of some parts from 2015, but we have started the assembly process of the car. »