Force India wants consistent speed

Date published : 09 Feb 2010 - 09:31:38

Force India designer Mark Smith is confident that his latest car can be competitive at all tracks on the Formula 1 calendar - unlike last year's VJM02, which flew at high-speed venues and struggled on twisty tracks. The 2009 Force India's excellent low downforce performance enabled Giancarlo Fisichella to take pole and a podium at Spa, and Adrian Sutil to fight for similar results at Monza. But the car was not as effective when more downforce was required, and at many other venues the drivers could not get out of Q1. Smith said avoiding those peaks and troughs was a key ambition with the new car, which was unveiled on the team's website this morning. "The VJM02 was a relatively low drag car that showed well on the low downforce tracks," he said. "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." He also feels Force India has benefited from more stability this winter, as last year it had to react to a relatively late decision to switch from Ferrari power and use a Mercedes and McLaren engine and gearbox package. "It's been a lot smoother," Smith said.  "From the very beginning we designed the VJM03 in full knowledge of the engine and gearbox that we would be using for 2010, which gave us a significant advantage by comparison with respect to the same point in design time for VJM02. "Fundamentally, key relationships are established and data is available to us much earlier." He hopes the new car has retained the strengths of the VJM02 while addressing the areas that had to be hurried in 2009. "It's a natural progression in areas which seemed to have strong trends at the end of 2009, and in other areas it's quite different," Smith explained. "The back of the car is the area that has evolved most as everyone has had a year of experience with the double diffusers so we've all gone into 2010 much wiser to what we can do.  "There have been some refinements in that area and it's formed part of the make-up of the car this time around, rather than being added very quickly, as happened at the beginning of last year."