Silverstone-based Sahara Force India launched their VJM07 this week, the car the team will use in the 2014 FIA F1 World Championship, write Colin and James Beckett.
The team will officially roll out the car at the opening pre-season test in Spain next week, but by announcing details of their programme for the new season, the local team have become the first team on the grid to show their colours for the new season.
Black has been added to the car’s livery scheme, giving the VJM07 a dynamic new look.
Vijay Mallya, the team’s principal, said: “The VJM07 looks stunning and the new livery reflects the way Sahara Force India is evolving. I’ve always believed our cars have been the most eye-catching, but adding black as a main colour gives us a fierce new look.
“It’s been a busy winter for us on the technical and commercial front. When I founded the team my first ambition was to launch the first Indian team on the grid, but the next stage in our evolution is to develop a global brand.
“I think that ambition is reflected in the partners we are working with and our world class driver line-up. It certainly feels as though there is the potential for 2014 to be our strongest season yet.”
The team’s Technical Director, Andrew Green, added: “Almost every single part of the VJM07 is a new design – from the front wing right back to the diffuser. The genetics of the VJM07 still lie in the 2013 car, but we’ve had to achieve the same results in a slightly different way.
“It’s been a massive job to accommodate all the changes to the power unit – it’s the biggest change I’ve witnessed in the sport since I started in 1990.”
Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez will drive the Sahara Force India cars this season and both are expected to have time in the new VJM07 at the Jerez track next week.