Formula One news

Gascoyne: VJM01 is another step forward

The Force India Formula 1 team completed its first laps with the team's brand-new VJM01 on Monday morning at Circuit de Catalunya. According to the team's technical director, Mike Gascoyne, the car is a big step forward compared to the team's B-spec car from last year.

"We are looking at significant improvements in the rear suspension and also some systems to improve reliability from last year," said Gascoyne. "The B-spec gearbox we introduced was always aimed at four races, and obviously we had the benefit of testing it at the final races of the year. We've now run many miles on that gearbox and we are very confident that we are very reliable in this area for 2008.

'We have also carried over the engine installation and radiator package, but again have made detailed improvements and incorporated some lighter parts. In some respects we have been able to make bigger improvements by changing fewer parts on the car, which has enabled us to focus more resources on key areas.'

The new VJM01 is on track for the first time today at the Barcelona test, just two weeks before the first race of the season. Gascoyne does not believe this will be a disadvantage, as the team has completed some strong work over the winter. "We've been testing new parts and looking at reliability," Gascoyne continues. "It's just one update we have coming along for the last test and it will be mostly aerodynamic and will have no real impact on reliability. I am not worried that we are just testing them for the first time a very short while before the season as this has been done to give us the maximum time possible in the wind tunnel.

"Over the winter we have really been working with the new drivers, and we've certainly shown a new level of competitiveness, which is something that will benefit us going forward. There has been a lot of work going on in the background and we should look to go to Australia and be very reliable, especially in the first few races and pick up whatever we can.

"Last year was very frustrating, but now we are in a position to move forward from a much more competitive baseline. Certainly you will see that with the new development we should look to racing properly with the midfield as soon as possible."

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