The Force India VJM08 is a

Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...

racing car Auto racing (also known as car racing, motor racing, or automobile racing) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition. Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various sorts were organise ...

which

Force India Force India Formula One Team Limited, commonly known as Force India and later Sahara Force India, was a Formula One racing team and constructor based in Silverstone, United Kingdom, with an Indian licence. The team was formed in October 20 ...

used to compete in the

2015 Formula One season The 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship was a motor racing championship for Formula One cars. It was the 66th Formula One World Championship recognised by the sport's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile ( ...

. It was driven by

Sergio Pérez Sergio Michel "Checo" Pérez Mendoza (; born 26 January 1990), is a Mexican Auto racing, racing driver who races in Formula One for Red Bull Racing, having previously driven for Sauber, McLaren, Force India, and Racing Point. He won his first ...

and Le Mans winner

Nico Hülkenberg Nicolas Hülkenberg (, born 19 August 1987) is a German professional racing driver who is scheduled to make a full-time racing return to Formula 1 with Haas F1 Team in 2023, after serving as a reserve driver for Aston Martin F1 Team for the yea ...

History

The car's livery was first presented at an event in the Museo Soumaya in

Mexico City Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley o ...

on 21 January 2015, albeit using a modified chassis from a previous car instead of the VJM08 itself. The team did not participate at all in

Jerez Jerez de la Frontera (), or simply Jerez (), is a Spanish city and municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southwestern Spain, located midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cádiz Mountains. , the ...

and elected to use their 2014 car at the first test in

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. The VJM08 finally made its on-track debut at the second and final testing session in Barcelona. This delay was in part due to Force India switching to Toyota's Cologne-based wind tunnel in Germany. The new tunnel allows the team to test 60% scale models as opposed to the 50% scale they had been using with their old tunnel. The team used a new car development model for the 2015 season. They aimed to increase the car's performance as the season went on through the introduction of a B-spec car and several other upgrades later in the season.

VJM08B

For the

2015 British Grand Prix The 2015 British Grand Prix (formally known as the 2015 Formula 1 British Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race that took place on 5 July 2015 at the Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone, United Kingdom. The race was the ninth round of the 2015 ...

, Force India introduced a B-spec version of the car, featuring a distinct shorter nose with two holes in it. Initially, it was questioned whether the new nose complied with the FIA regulations, which did not allow vented noses. To stay within the regulations, the team introduced a spoon-shaped panel under the chassis, which also improved the car's airflow. Hülkenberg praised the changes, saying: "Now the car feels stronger, definitely." Over the course of the season, the team continued to introduce updates to the car including a new front wing, rear wing, rear suspension, floor, front and rear brake ducts and diffuser, among other things. At the Russian Grand Prix, Pérez scored a third-place finish. This was the team's third podium in its history. Ultimately, the team's upturn in form helped them achieve fifth place in the Constructor's Championship, their best season in its history at that point, despite scoring 19 fewer points than with its predecessor, the VJM07.

Complete Formula One results

(

key Key or The Key may refer to: Common meanings * Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm * Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock * Key (map ...

) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)

References

{{Force India F1 2015 Formula One season cars Force India Formula One cars