Force India F1 Team’s 2015 car, the VJM08, has finally broken cover during the final pre-season test in Barcelona today.
After encountering a number of delays and issues in the production of the new car, the team opted to miss the first test in Jerez and run its 2014 model in Barcelona last week, putting it on the back foot in comparison to its rivals.
Some 26 days after the rest of the teams, Force India finally got its 2015 car out on track for the first time today in Barcelona, with Nico Hulkenberg taking the VJM08 for an installation lap just before the lunch break.
The VJM08 heads out for its first instal lap! #FeelTheForce pic.twitter.com/tLXztoBhhW
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) February 27, 2015
However, the German was forced to immediately pit after suffering a puncture on his left-rear tire due to a rim issue.
Just to confirm, the @nicohulkenberg puncture was a rim issue, not tyre related! #F1BarcelonaTest
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) February 27, 2015
The issue did not prove to be too difficult for the team to correct, though, with Hulkenberg completing a second sighter lap 20 minutes’ after pitting.
Nico and the VJM08 return from their second lap to a warm reception by both crew and media! #FeelTheForce pic.twitter.com/8jH3fgN1c5
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) February 27, 2015
Hulkenberg managed to post the team’s first lap time just before lunch, posting a 1:31.165 to sit ninth at the break.
Some in the paddock had expected Force India to not debut the new car until the first race of the year in Australia, but this on-track running will give the team some precious data and information even if it will have just one-quarter of its rivals’ mileage by the end of testing.