Force India's late launch

New car to debut at Jerez in early March

Last updated: 12th January 2009

Force India's late launch

Mallya: New car unveiled in March

Related links

Teams

Drivers

Also see

Vijay Mallya has revealed that Force India will not run their new VJM-02 until early March, but is confident the delay will not hinder the team's start to the season.

The billionaire businessman is determined to see his team move up the grid in 2009 after a debut season which left Force India as the only outfit on the Formula One grid without a point.

They signed a technical agreement with McLaren-Mercedes late last year, meaning that the VJM-02 will have a Mercedes-Benz engine and a McLaren gearbox and KERS system.

The deal means Force India's 2009 challenger will be late out of the starting blocks compared with cars built by rival teams, with Mallya revealing that they will not be on track until early March.

"The new car, VJM02, is under construction," he told The Hindustan Times.

"It will have McLaren gearbox and Mercedes engine, which is a big change from VJM01. We are going to unveil it at Jerez in early March."

Nevertheless, Mallya is confident the late launch will not hurt his team's chances of scoring points this season.

"We will have six-day test which I think is enough," he added. "Besides, the facilities at our Silverstone factory are up to the mark and I think we would be ready for the first race.

"I'm confident we can be in the midfield."

Formula 1 2009 Season. Click here to bet.