Formula One news

Force India tests new front suspension

Force India's test and reserve driver Vitantonio Liuzzi opened the team's three-day test at the Circuit de Castellet Paul Ricard track in France on Wednedsay. Liuzzi worked through a programme to test a new front suspension and establish a baseline set-up for the remaining two days of the test and also tested the team's 'Monaco spec' aero developments, a high-downforce package designed for the challenges of the twisty street circuit race.

"Wednesday's programme run on the short track simulation circuit layout was to evaluate a complete new front suspension for the VJM01, and to validate the package of aerodynamic changes that will be raced in Monaco next week," explained Force India chief engineer Dominic Harlow. "During a busy day the team also worked on some ongoing development items in other mechanical areas of the car. The circuit was initially a little green, but the weather conditions have not been too bad with mild temperatures, a fairly light wind and slowly the grip improved during the day."

Tonio Liuzzi commented, "We did more than 100 laps with no reliability problems, which let us test some new development items for Monaco, including some of the new aero parts, and some new updates to the suspension. We had to work on the balance a bit at first to adjust to the new items, but over the longer runs it was very consistent and we could make some steps forward. As we only used the hard tyre the lap times were pretty good in comparison to the other teams who used the soft tyre, which gives a big performance advantage over the harder compound."

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