Force India unveil 2011 racer
Force India have become the latest team to unveil their car for the 2011 Formula One season - a car which is radically different from its predecessor.
The VJM04 was created by the team's new technical director, Andrew Green, who 20 years ago helped build the Jordan 191. New FIA regs means KERS is back this year, and although the team tested out a system in 2009, it was never used, so this year will be the first time they use the Mercedes unit - both smaller and lighter than its first incarnation.
They've also recruited a new tyre engineer (Jun Matsusaki) to help develop the car for the new Pirelli tyre compounds. The moveable rear wing - changed from the double diffuser - has also necessitated some changes, all of which will be put into the car's first test at Bahrain.
McLaren has unveiled its contender for the 2011 Formula One season. By building it in front of a live audience.
In the most dramatic - and bizarre - F1 launches so far, Vodafone competition winners carried in bits of the MP4-26 and handed them over to Important Men from McLaren. Messrs Hamilton and Button were the last to arrive, carrying the steering wheel and headrest.
Unveiled on the site of the old Berlin wall in, err, Berlin, the MP4-26 features KERS and an adjustable rear wing, as per the new rules. Don't forget, McLaren were the first team to win an F1 race with KERS when Lewis snatched a win in Hungary 2009.
The MP4-26 also features an unusual ‘U'-shaped sidepod arrangement which McLaren says is to direct air to the rear of the car more efficiently.
Looks good, right? The new McFormulaOne motor will undergo a private test in Spain next week, followed by team track testing in Jerez on Thursday.