Force India launch 2012 car

Zimbabwe Star (IANS) Friday 3rd February, 2012

Sahara Force India Friday unveiled their car for the 2012 Formula One season as Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg pulled the covers off the VJM05 here at the team's headquarters here.

Di Resta and Hulkenberg were joined by reserve driver Jules Bianchi at the launch.

The VJM05 is the second car to be created under the watch of technical director, Andrew Green, as the team seeks to build on its sixth place finish in the constructors' championship.

"We have set our sights on challenging for fifth place," said team principal Vijay Mallya. "To do so, we will need to begin the new campaign by delivering the kind of form we showed in the second half of 2011. I believe this is a realistic goal and that we have the talent and determination to realise these ambitions."

Summing up the approach to 2012, Andrew Green added: "The car looks more refined; a lot racier and a lot more purposeful. You can start to see the aerodynamic concepts coming through now. It looks quite a bit different to the previous years, and so far the performance in the tunnel has been encouraging."

The drivers were excited to get the first glimpse of the new car.

"Seeing the new car built and complete for the first time is always an exciting moment. It is when you realise that all the waiting is finally over and the season is beginning for real," said di Resta.

Force India cars will be powered by the Mercedes engines once again with gearbox supplied by McLaren.