 Hülkenberg driving the VJM08B at theJapanese Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Force India | ||||||||||
| Designers | 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 HybridTurbo 1.6 L (98 cu in)V6 engine (90°), limited to 15,000RPM in amid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout | ||||||||||
| Electric motor | Mercedes PU106B HybridMotor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K) Mercedes PU106B HybridMotor Generator Unit–Heat (MGU-H) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Petronas | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | Petronas[note 1] | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet) | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Sahara Force India F1 Team | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 11. Sergio Pérez27.  Nico Hülkenberg | ||||||||||
| Debut | 2015 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
TheForce India VJM08 is aFormula Oneracing car whichForce India used to compete in the2015 Formula One season. It was driven bySergio Pérez andLe Mans winnerNico Hülkenberg.
The car's livery was first presented at an event in theMuseo Soumaya inMexico 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 inJerez and elected to use their2014 car at the first test inBarcelona.[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]
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 theRussian 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.
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.
The team paid tribute toJules Bianchi in Hungary by carrying a message "Remembering our friend Jules Bianchi" on the rear wing endplate.
(key) (results inbold indicate pole position; results initalics 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 1.6V6t | 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 1.6V6t | 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 | ||||||||||||||
| Sources:[12] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
