Force India VJM08

Force India VJM08
Force India VJM08B

Hülkenberg driving the VJM08B at the Japanese Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Force India
Designer(s)	Andrew Green (Technical Director) Ian Hall (Chief Designer) Bruce Eddington (Chief Engineer, Composites) Dan Carpenter (Chief Engineer, Mechanical Design) Andrew Brown (Head of R&D) Jonathan Marshall (Head of Vehicle Science) Simon Phillips (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	Force India VJM07
Successor	Force India VJM09
Technical specifications
Chassis	Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Engine	Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Turbo 1.6 L (98 cu in) V6 engine (90°), limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motor	Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K) Mercedes PU106B Hybrid Motor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H)
Fuel	Petronas
Lubricants	Petronas
Tyres	Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)
Competition history
Notable entrants	Sahara Force India F1 Team
Notable drivers	11. Sergio Pérez 27. Nico Hülkenberg
Debut	2015 Australian Grand Prix
Last event	2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 19 0 1 0 0

The Force India VJM08 is a Formula One racing car which Force India used to compete in the 2015 Formula One season. It was driven by Sergio Pérez and Le Mans winner Nico Hülkenberg.

History

Hülkenberg driving the A-spec version at the Malaysian Grand Prix

The car's livery was first presented at an event in the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City on 21 January 2015, albeit using a modified chassis from a previous car instead of the VJM08 itself.^[1][2] The team did not participate at all in Jerez and elected to use their 2014 car at the first test in Barcelona.^[1][3][4] 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.^[5]

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.^{[citation needed]}

VJM08B

Pérez driving the B-spec version of the car which debuted at the British Grand Prix

For the British Grand Prix, 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.^[6][7] Hülkenberg praised the changes, saying: "Now the car feels stronger, definitely."^[8] 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.^[9][10] At the Russian Grand Prix, Pérez scored a third-place finish. This was the team's third podium in its history.^[11] 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.

Livery

The livery was radically changed by removing the shade of white and retaining the black and silver livery. The green and orange stripes were also retained as well. Quaker State joined the team but opted to use Petronas lubricants instead.

The team paid tribute to Jules Bianchi in Hungary by carrying a message "Remembering our friend Jules Bianchi" on the rear wing.

Complete Formula One results

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

Year	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	Points	WCC
2015	VJM08	Mercedes PU106B Hybrid 1.6 V6 t	P		AUS	MAL	CHN	BHR	ESP	MON	CAN	AUT	GBR	HUN	BEL	ITA	SIN	JPN	RUS	USA	MEX	BRA	ABU	136	5th
				Sergio Pérez	10	13	11	8	13	7	11	9
				Nico Hülkenberg	7	14	Ret	13	15	11	8	6
	VJM08B	Mercedes PU106B Hybrid 1.6 V6 t	P	Sergio Pérez									9	Ret	5	6	7	12	3	5	8	12	5
				Nico Hülkenberg									7	Ret	DNS	7	Ret	6	Ret	Ret	7	6	7

References

1. "Force India unveil 'aggressive' livery". PlanetF1. 21 January 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
2. "Force India unveils VJM08 livery". ESPN. ESPN. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
3. Rodríguez, Alejandro (21 January 2015). "Force India unveils Checo's 2015 racing car at Soumaya Museum". El Universal. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
4. "Sahara Force India reveals dynamic new look for 2015 in Mexico City". Sahara Force India. 21 January 2015. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
5. "Force India: Wind tunnel move behind car delay". GPUpdate. GPUpdate. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
6. Barretto, Lawrence; Parkes, Ian (2 July 2015). "Force India duo preach caution about new B-spec F1 car". autosport.com. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
7. "Force India VJM08 - nosecone 'nostrils'". FIA. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
8. Saunders, Nate (3 July 2015). "Force India B-spec immediately feels stronger, says Hulkenberg". ESPN. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
9. "Force India VJM08 - rear suspension updates".
10. Parkes, Lawrence Barretto and Ian. "Force India to introduce more new B-spec parts for Singapore F1 GP".
11. "Podium for Checo in Russia, fifth in his F1 history".