Formula One news

'Realistic aims' for Mallya

Force India is looking for a positive start to the new season this weekend following a pointless year in 2008. Now powered with Mercedes engines, the VJM02 is still underdeveloped, as the team did not make its testing debut until February; despite this, team owner Vijay Mallya is confident that progress can be made.

A second year for a team or driver in Formula 1 is often considered more difficult that a first, with any 'rookie' or 'debutant' labels now removed. "There is no point in telling people that we will score points in Australia," Mallya admitted. "We should just go to the first few races and see - too many predictions should not be made ahead of the start of the season, as what we have seen in testing is that the field is still exceptionally close."

The Indian squad becomes the third to use the German Mercedes engine in 2009, with McLaren and new entry Brawn GP making use the same powerplant. "I think the partnership is working excellently now," Mallya continued. "My initial confidence in it has been borne out by the comments that both the drivers and the team are now making."

The new KERS device has brought with it a cocktail of opinions on the run-up to the start of the championship, although Force India was one of the first constructors to announce that it would not be using the device immediately. "The decision not to run KERS for the first races of the season was taken fairly early on in the winter," Mallya explained. "Given the huge volume of work we have had to do since Brazil, there was a conscious move to make sure that the whole engine-gearbox package was fully integrated and understood before we took the next step of introducing KERS, which is a completely new technology for our team." An indicator of the device's performance should be given to Mallya this weekend, as his cars will be using the same unit as that of the two McLarens.

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage