Force India Also to Launch Car Online, on February 9

Launching one's 2010 single-seater via an online presentation has become a habit in today's Formula One. And really, no one could blame the teams for that, as saving money and cutting down costs has become a true religion in the series in recent years. And we have the economic recession to blame for that.

Force India Mercedes has therefore become the latest team to take on that habit, as they today announced that their presentation of the VJM03 on February 9 will happen online. So instead of spending tons of money for a location, the team will arrange for a small shooting session with the car and drivers the very next day, prior to the first day of testing on the Jerez circuit.

“The Force India Formula One Team will unveil its 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship challenger, the VJM03, in an online presentation on 9 February, before its official testing debut at Jerez circuit the following day,” said the press release.

In addition, after the first day of the Jerez test meeting – second of the off-season and the first for Force India – “design director Mark Smith and chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer will be available for a press conference in the circuit media centre.”

Force India recently confirmed Scottish driver Paul di Resta as their new test/reserve driver for the 2010 season of Formula One. However, the press release from the Indian outfit did not say anything about Di Resta's potential involvement in the pre-season testing of Formula One.

The Mercedes DTM works driver will run the VJM03 during some Friday practice sessions throughout the 2010 season of F1, as stated in the yesterday announcement from the team.