Here we go again, another season of Formula 1 images starting in the best place on the calendar, Australia! You can relive the 2015 season opener after the break with our gallery of 89 images, all clickable to 2560px mega image sizing.
Tag: Force India
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2015 Force India VJM08 revealed
Ugly anteater noses begone!
The first full reveal of a 2015 Formula 1 car has been and gone thanks to Force India. As you can see the laughable nose of the VJM07 has been scrapped and the VJM08 looks altogether more stylish.
Part of that, of course, is due to the new silver and black livery, which, oddly enough, gives the best hint yet that McLaren will be having a red and white scheme in 2015.
Force India retains its 2014 driver lineup of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg. The team will run its 2014 car at the first test in Jerez (1–4 February), delaying the track debut of the VJM08 until the second round of testing, to be held in Barcelona (19–22 February).
A light and fluffy press release and more images are available after the break. More detail is available in the team’s 2015 press pack which can be downloaded below.
If you’re missing Formula 1 action during the off season here’s video from the Hungarian Grand Prix that will allow you to cram in four times the action in one go.
Starting from top right and moving in a clockwise direction we’ve got Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg, Sergio Perez and Marcus Ericsson. The footage was filmed during qualifying and it’s no surprise to see who was fastest.
[via WTF1]
Another Formula 1 season has come and gone and, as usual, it’s been a hell of a ride. Lews Hamilton’s win in Abu Dhabi secured his second world crown and put the perfect exclamation mark on a season of dominance for Mercedes AMG.
It’s a big job for a sole contributor compiling a season’s worth of F1 images too. Apologies for the delay in getting these images to you, but I’m not scared to admit there’s a sense of relief in posting the last gallery of photos for the year.
Never fear, the lure of F1 is great and I’ll be back again in 2015, hope to see you here.
Force India Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg is the first person named to drive the factory Porsche team’s third 919 Hybrid at the 6 Hours of Spa and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015.
It’s both rare and welcomed to see an active F1 driver taking part in categories such as the World Endurance Championship. We hope the 27-year-old German does well.
“Porsche and Le Mans—this combination probably attracts every race driver,” Hulkenberg said. “I’ve been a Porsche fan for a long time and have been watching their return to the LMP1 class closely.
“The desire grew to drive that car at Le Mans. I am very pleased the 2015 Formula 1 calendar allows for it and I’m grateful to my Sahara Force India Formula 1 Team’s generosity to let me go for it. Now it’s up to me to work hard to satisfy both commitments.”
Team Principal Andreas Seidl explains Hulkenberg will have a steep learning curve in the short-term switch from F1 to WEC and shared sentiments of gratitude towards Force India.
“Having caught the interest of another world class driver like Nico is validation for the job the entire Porsche LMP1 crew had done in our first WEC season,” Seidl said. “Now we will prepare Nico for his new challenges such as dealing with the traffic of the slower GT cars and racing into the Le Mans night.
“We’re looking forward to working with Nico and we want to thank the Sahara Force India F1 Team and team principal Vijay Mallya for loaning him to us.”
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Spike’s big day out
Spike Goddard completed 89 laps in his first day out in a Formula 1 car. Driving the Force India VJM07, Goddard said he took some time to adjust to extra demands compared with the F3 cars he’s used to driving.
“I felt today went really well,” the 22-year-old Australian said. ” The VJM07 is a massive step up from my Formula 3 car so the first part of the day was devoted to adjusting to the new machinery. The power and downforce of these cars is something on a completely different level; it was a massive shock to the system, but I got used to it fairly soon.
“We chipped away at the lap time in every run and in the end we got to a pretty good time and 89 laps, which is a fair bit of running. I am pretty happy about the work I did with the team and the way everyone worked with me.
“I’d love to keep a link with Sahara Force India: it’s a fantastic group of people and I’d like to contribute and help as much as I can.”
Goddard’s fastest lap was 1:44.944, the sixth best of the day. In contrast, Daniel Ricciardo posted the seventh best time (1:45.151). On the previous day of testing Jolyon Palmer completed 37 laps for Force India. His best time was 1:44.516, the fourth quickest on the opening day.
“Spike did a good job and really made the most of his first opportunity in a Formula 1 car,” said Tom McCullough, Chief Engineer. “It’s always a big jump from Formula 3 to Formula 1, but he adapted quickly and gradually built up his confidence and speed throughout the test.”
Goddard also spent part of his day testing a new style “info wing”, which has been developed by Anthony Hamilton, father of Lewis. The wing features LED lighting able to display the driver’s number, tyre compound and position in the race.
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Spike Goddard to test with Force India
Young Australian driver Spike Goddard, Richard to his mum and dad, has scored a test with Force India in Abu Dhabi after this weekend’s championship deciding grand prix.
The 22-year-old started racing Formula Fords in Australia, before making the move to the United Kingdom in 2011. He won the British Formula 3 Rookie Class in 2012 and has spent the next two years racing in various Formula 3 championships. Naturally, he’s very excited to get his chance in the VJM07.
“I would like to thank Sahara Force India for this incredible opportunity,” Goddard said. “Every young racing driver dreams to be at the wheel of a Formula 1 car and I am very excited to be one of the very few who gets to fulfil this dream.
“The test is an important stage in the preparations for 2015 and I hope my contribution will be useful for the team to get a head start for next season.”
Goddard will be in the car on Wednesday 26 November, the second of the two day test program. Jolyon Palmer, the son of former British F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, will drive for Force India on the opening day.
“I’m pleased that we can conclude our season by giving two promising youngsters their first taste of Formula 1,” said Dr Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director. “As a team we have a strong track record of identifying up-and-coming prospects and giving them valuable mileage and experience in our cars.
“I have been following Jolyon’s progress this season in GP2 and he is clearly a big talent that deserves a chance in Formula 1.
“Spike has also worked hard to get this chance and it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills.
“I wish Jolyon and Spike all the best for a successful couple of days in Abu Dhabi.”
We have to confess to not knowing a lot about Goddard and it would seem to us his opportunity is one he’ll need to grab with both hands. We wish him well and hope we’re soon hearing a lot more about him.
[Pic: spikegoddard.com]
Who doesn’t love watching footage of Formula 1 cars screaming around the tight Monaco Grand Prix circuit? Nobody, that’s who! Especially when you’re given a driver’s eye view from the helmet of ex-Force India driver Paul di Resta.
The footage was captured during the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix, won by Mark Webber. The image quality isn’t great, but we still think you’ll enjoy the ride.
Nico Rosberg’s win at the 2014 Brazilian Grand Prix will give his confidence a nice boost going into the title deciding double points bonanza in Abu Dhabi.
Wouldn’t it be the ultimate troll on British F1 fans if Nico could beat Lewis Hamilton to the title with four fewer race wins!
Before you wake up at ungodly hour to follow the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend here’s your pictorial reminder of what went down in Austin last weekend.
With his tenth win of 2014 Lewis Hamilton became the winningest British driver in Formula 1 (to use the bastardised US vernacular). The 2008 world champ now has 32 career wins, one more than Nigel Mansell.
Force India has locked in Nico Hulkenberg for one more year, securing the 27-year-old German for the 2015 season.
“It’s good to confirm my plans for next season,” Hulkenberg said. “This is a team I know extremely well and we’ve enjoyed a great year together with some special results. The team has big ambitions and I believe we can have a competitive package once again next year.
“We have a strong partner in Mercedes and everyone in the team is motivated and hungry for more success. I have a good feeling for 2015 and there is a lot to be excited about as we try to build on the results we have achieved this year.”
Hulkenberg’s 2014 teammate, Sergio Perez, hopes to remain with Force India next year too, but nothing is confirmed at this stage.
The fun has come and gone from the Sochi sun and the Russian Grand Prix passed by without any idiot from the Formula 1 world threatening to “shirtfront” Putin. Which, in some ways, in just as bad as it would have been if some idiot did engage his mouth before his brain.
Anyway, enough of that, let’s just try and enjoy the images from the race. Hopefully, they’re not quite as dull as the on track action ended up.