Force India to Launch VJM02 on March 1st

Force India is the latest team to announce the official launch of their 2009 challenger. According to a press release from Vijay Mallya's team, the new VJM02 will be introduced to the media on March 1st, at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain. The unveiling of the car will take place just before the official start of next week's test meeting at the Spanish track.

The Indian outfit will therefore become the 8th team to unveil their 2009 car in the offseason, following Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Williams F1, Toyota and Red Bull Racing. Toro Rosso is yet to announce the launch of their new car.

Force India's drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil will be available for Q&A (both print media and TV), after which they are scheduled to run the first tests on the new car. The duo was confirmed for the new season from as early as December last year, alongside test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi.

There were several rumors concerning a potential involvement of McLaren – new power train suppliers for Mallya's team – in setting Force India's drivers lineup for 2009. DTM runner-up Paul di Resta and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa were among the drivers believed to profit from the new deal, but the Indian billionaire decided to stick with his 2008 lineup for yet another season.

The VJM02 will feature, like all 2009 challengers already introduced to the large public, a new aerodynamic package, as well as new engine, gearbox, hydraulics and Kinetic Energy Recovery System provided by McLaren Mercedes. Until the end of 2008, Force India benefited from powertrains from Ferrari.

Force India is also schedule to complete all days of testing at the Jerez track next week, this being the first test for the Indian outfit in 2009.