Wikipedia

Force India

52°04′33″N 1°01′46″W / 52.07583°N 1.02944°W / 52.07583; -1.02944

This article is about the original Force India Formula One team. For the Formula One team that completed the 2018 season as Force India, see Racing Point Force India.
Force India
Full nameForce India
Formula One Team
(2008–2011)
Sahara Force India
Formula One Team
(2012–2018)
BaseSilverstone,
United Kingdom
Founder(s)Vijay Mallya & Michiel Mol
Noted staffSteve Curnow
Bob Fernley
Mike Gascoyne
Andrew Green
James Key
Colin Kolles
Subrata Roy
Otmar Szafnauer
Noted driversMexico Sergio Pérez
France Esteban Ocon
Italy Giancarlo Fisichella
Germany Nico Hülkenberg
Italy Vitantonio Liuzzi
United Kingdom Paul di Resta
Germany Adrian Sutil
Previous nameSpyker F1 Team
Next nameRacing Point Force India
Formula One World Championship career
First entry2008 Australian Grand Prix
Races entered203
EnginesFerrari & Mercedes
Constructors'
Championships		0 (best finish: 4th, 2016 and 2017)
Drivers'
Championships		0
Race victories0 (best finish: 2nd, 2009 Belgian Grand Prix)
Podiums6
Points987
Pole positions1
Fastest laps5
Final entry2018 Hungarian Grand Prix

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.[1] The team was formed in October 2007 when a consortium led by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and Dutch businessman Michiel Mol bought the Spyker F1 team for €88 million.[2]

Force India VJM07 at pre-season test in Jerez

After going through 29 races without scoring points, Force India won their first Formula One world championship points and podium place when Giancarlo Fisichella finished second in the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix.[3] Force India scored points again in the following race when Adrian Sutil finished fourth, and set the team's first fastest lap, at the Italian Grand Prix. The team's other podium finishes are five third-places, in the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix, 2015 Russian Grand Prix, 2016 Monaco Grand Prix, 2016 European Grand Prix and the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, all achieved by Sergio Pérez.

In October 2011, Indian company Sahara India Pariwar, purchased 42.5% of Force India F1's shares at US$100 million.[4]

In 2018, Vijay Mallya, accused of fraud and defaulting on loans, could not afford to continue to run Force India. By July 2018, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the team announced that they had been put into administration by the High Court in London.[5] The team's assets were bought by a consortium of investors, named Racing Point UK, led by Lawrence Stroll, the father of then Williams driver Lance Stroll.[6] The consortium used the assets to create a new entry into the sport named Racing Point Force India. The constructor that had been founded in 2008 ceased to exist prior to the 2019 Australian Grand Prix when the new team changed their constructor entry to "Racing Point".

History

edit

Background

edit
Main articles: Jordan Grand Prix, Midland F1 Racing, and Spyker F1

The team's origins stemmed from the Jordan Grand Prix team, which entered Formula One racing in 1991 based at the Silverstone circuit. Jordan enjoyed many years in Formula One, winning four races and achieving third place in the 1999 Constructors' Championship. However, like many of the smaller teams in the 2000s, financial problems meant the team's performance dried up, and team owner Eddie Jordan sold the team to the Midland Group in early 2005.

The Midland owned team renamed Midland F1 Racing in 2006 spent two seasons at the back of grid, before owner Alex Shnaider sold the team to Spyker Cars midway through the 2006 season.[7]

Spyker F1 scored a point in 2007 and briefly led the European Grand Prix; despite this, the team once again hit financing issues,[8] and was sold on to Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, then chairman of the United Breweries Group and Michiel Mol, Spyker's Formula One Director.[2] The team, bought for €88 million,[9] was renamed as the Force India Formula One Team for the 2008 season, and retained team principal Colin Kolles, Chief Technology Officer Mike Gascoyne, and drivers were Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella.

2008 season

edit
 
Adrian Sutil driving for Force India at the 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix.

After retaining Adrian Sutil for the team's first season, Force India conducted winter tests for the second driver and testing roles. Ex-Renault driver Giancarlo Fisichella was chosen for the race seat, and Vitantonio Liuzzi secured the reserve role;[10] they were to drive an updated version of the Spyker F8-VIIB chassis with Ferrari engines, christened the Force India VJM01.[11] Testing of the car begun in February, after the gold, tungsten and white liveried car was launched at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.[12] With an increased budget and wind tunnels from defence company EADS,[13] the team set itself the target of beating Super Aguri, a squad which spent the previous seasons contesting at the back with Force India's predecessors.[13]

 
Giancarlo Fisichella leads Adrian Sutil at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.

Melbourne was the scene of Force India's first race, and although the Australian Grand Prix gave the team a poor start with both drivers retiring in the first few laps,[14] the following race in Malaysia saw Fisichella's twelfth place earn the team's first finish. After disappointing results in the opening races, Sutil gave the team the chance to score its first points in the wet Monaco Grand Prix, but towards the end of the race Kimi Räikkönen's Ferrari lost control and hit Sutil's car causing immediate retirement.[15] Although a furious Gascoyne called for Räikkönen to be penalised,[16] overtakes under yellow flag conditions would have meant Sutil receiving a time penalty post-race, dropping him out of points.[17] Continuous updates to improve reliability and performance allowed the team to close the gap to the fastest teams during the mid-season, despite Super Aguri's withdrawal meaning the two cars started from the rear of the grid for the majority of races. A seamless-shift transmission introduced at Valencia marked the end of development for the car;[18] team owner Mallya had realised underinvestment and continued changes of ownership had led the team to fall behind.[18] Force India had been focusing on 2009 since Mallya brought the team, believing that the new regulations would yield better results.[19][20] Despite halting work on the VJM01, Fisichella put his car to a season-best 12th on the grid at the Italian Grand Prix during an extremely wet qualifying session; he was however to crash out during the race.[21] Fisichella continued his good form by reaching second during the Singapore round and fifth at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix; a safety car before his pit stop prevented points in Singapore, while transmission issues in Brazil left him 18th and two laps down.[22] Force India finished the season tenth place in the Constructors' Championship, and Fisichella achieved the best finish of tenth at the Spanish Grand Prix.[22]

2009 season

edit
 
Vitantonio Liuzzi driving for Force India at the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix.

Force India retained the same drivers for the 2009 season.[23] The VJM02 was powered by Mercedes-Benz engines, after the team signed a five-year deal on 10 November 2008. The deal also included a supply of McLaren-Mercedes gearboxes, hydraulic systems and the KERS feature. The car was revealed on 1 March 2009.[24]

At the wet Chinese Grand Prix, Sutil almost secured Force India's first points, holding sixth place in front of Lewis Hamilton and Timo Glock with six laps remaining when aquaplaning led to the Force India car skidding off the road and crashing out of the race.[25] At the German Grand Prix, Sutil qualified in seventh place and battled for the points, reaching second at one point, before colliding with Kimi Räikkönen after exiting the pit lane and being forced to pit again to change a broken front wing. He finished 15th.[26]

Force India gained their first pole position in Formula One at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, when Fisichella qualified fastest.[27] He finished the race in second position, less than a second behind Kimi Räikkönen earning Force India's first ever points and podium position. Missing the win was partially blamed on the car's lack of KERS, a system present on the Ferrari.[28]

On 3 September 2009, Force India announced that they were releasing Fisichella from his contract to allow him to race for Ferrari for the remainder of the season. It was announced four days later that test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi would replace Fisichella for the remaining races.[29]

In qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Sutil qualified second and Liuzzi, on his race debut for the team, qualified seventh. On race day, Sutil finished fourth and clocked the fastest lap of the race. While running fourth in the race, Liuzzi had to retire due to a transmission failure.[30] Force India finished the season ninth in front of Scuderia Toro Rosso with 13 points, however, this did not reflect the vast improvement Force India had made from the start of the season.[31]

2010 season

edit
 
Vitantonio Liuzzi driving for Force India at the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix.

The team announced on 27 November 2009, that it was to keep Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi for the 2010 season.[32] The team tested Paul di Resta and J. R. Hildebrand at Jerez, with di Resta setting a much faster time.[33] Di Resta was confirmed as the team's test driver on 2 February 2010.[34] On 9 February 2010, Force India unveiled their new car, the VJM03, which was to be used in the 2010 season.[35]

The 2010 season began with points in Bahrain, with Liuzzi finishing in ninth position. Sutil had qualified in tenth, but was involved in a first-lap incident with the Renault of Robert Kubica. He ultimately recovered to finish in twelfth position. In Australia, Sutil again qualified in the top ten, with Liuzzi qualifying thirteenth. Liuzzi finished the race in seventh, while Sutil retired with an engine problem.[36] In Malaysia Sutil scored ten points with fifth and Liuzzi retired early due to a throttle problem, his first retirement of the season.[37] In the next few races, apart from a retirement from Liuzzi, the Force Indias had quiet races in the midfield, staying mainly out of the action in front of and behind them, with Sutil scoring points in Spain.[38] At Monaco both cars finished the race in eighth and ninth, avoiding the numerous incidents, giving the team their first double points finish.[39] In Turkey, Sutil finished 9th scoring two points, while Liuzzi finished 13th.[40] At the following race in Montreal, both cars finished in the points, with Liuzzi finishing 9th and Sutil in 10th.[41]

A number of senior personnel left the team during the season, with technical director James Key being the highest-profile member, leaving to join Sauber in a similar role. Chief designer Lewis Butler, senior aerodynamicist Marianne Hinson, and commercial director Ian Phillips also left the outfit.[42]

Force India finished the season in seventh place with 68 points, ahead of Sauber, but a point behind Williams.[43]

2011 season

edit
 
Adrian Sutil driving for Force India at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix.

On 26 January 2011, the team announced that reserve driver Paul di Resta would be promoted to a race seat for the 2011 season, to partner Adrian Sutil.[44] The team launched their new car, the VJM04 on 8 February 2011 via an online launch. The VJM04 is the first car created under new technical director Andrew Green and developed using the resources from partners McLaren Applied Technologies and Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines.[45] In the first race of the year in Australia, Sutil and di Resta finished the race in eleventh and twelfth places respectively but were later promoted to ninth and tenth after both Sauber cars were disqualified for a technical infringement relating to the rear wing of both their cars.[46]

Di Resta scored more points in Malaysia but he had to retire in Turkey. Sutil finished seventh in Monaco, and ninth in Valencia. Di Resta was bound for points in Britain before a collision with Buemi, while Sutil finished sixth in Germany ahead of the Mercedes cars.[47] Di Resta finished seventh in Hungary, eighth in Italy and took his best race result of sixth in Singapore, while Sutil added a seventh-place finish in Belgium and an eighth in Singapore. Di Resta scored another point in Korea, while at the Airtel Indian Grand Prix, Sutil scored two points with ninth place.[48] At the final race in Brazil, Sutil matched his best finish of the season with sixth place, while di Resta finished eighth, to help the team finish sixth in the Constructors' Championship, four points in arrears of fifth-placed Renault.[49]

2012 season

edit
 
Paul di Resta driving for Force India at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix.

For their 2012 line-up, the team retained Paul di Resta and replaced Adrian Sutil with their 2011 reserve driver, Nico Hülkenberg.[50] Jules Bianchi was later named as the team's reserve driver, and will also take part in Friday practice for the team during the season.[51] The team's car, the VJM05, was launched at Silverstone on 3 February.[52]

The Force India crew tried to pull out of the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix due to a revolution against the regime and the death of a protester.[53] However, after the team's refusal to take to the circuit, there was a confrontation between F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and the Force India team.[54]

In the last race of the season, the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, Hülkenberg qualified 7th but was promoted to 6th after Pastor Maldonado received a 10 place grid penalty. By lap three he had moved forward two places and on lap five he passed Fernando Alonso for third place. He moved into second position when McLaren's Lewis Hamilton pitted on lap 11. Hülkenberg then passed Jenson Button at the start of lap 19 to take the lead. He and Button built up a 45-second lead before the safety car was deployed because of debris on the track. He still led until he was passed by Hamilton, after sliding at the entry of Turn 8 on lap 49. On lap 55 he collided with Hamilton when the rear of Hülkenberg's car slid out while trying to pass him at Turn 1. After being given a drive-through penalty as a result of the incident, Hülkenberg finished fifth.[55]

Force India finished their 2012 campaign in seventh place with 109 points.[56]

2013 season

edit
 
Jules Bianchi driving for Force India at the pre-season test.

The 2013 line-up featured Paul di Resta for the third successive year.[57] The season also witnessed Adrian Sutil returning to the team line-up, replacing Nico Hülkenberg[58] as the team's Second Driver. The team's new car, the VJM06 was launched on 1 February 2013 at the team's base near the Silverstone Circuit.[59]

At the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Sutil finished seventh, while di Resta finished eighth, giving the team their best ever start to a season.[60] At the fourth round of the season in Bahrain, di Resta finished fourth, while Sutil finished thirteenth.[61]

Force India finished their 2013 season in sixth place with 77 points.[62]

2014 season

edit
 
Sergio Pérez driving for Force India at the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Nico Hülkenberg returned to the team for 2014, while Paul di Resta was replaced by Sergio Pérez.[63][64] Adrian Sutil moved to Sauber and was replaced by Nico Hülkenberg from Sauber.[65] Daniel Juncadella was signed by the team as a reserve driver.[66] The season opener in Australia saw Hülkenberg finish sixth while Pérez finished tenth after the disqualification of Daniel Ricciardo.[67] This was also the first time Hülkenberg completed a lap at the Albert Park circuit. At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Pérez put Force India on the podium with a third-place finish, its first time on the podium since Belgium in 2009.[68] In Austria, Pérez achieved the third fastest lap in Force India's history.[69] Force India were good after the major regulation change of hybrid engines and turbocharged powertrains, as they finished in sixth place with 155 points; 125 points ahead of seventh-placed Toro Rosso.[70]

2015 season

edit

On 19 October 2014, the team stated Hülkenberg had secured his seat for 2015.[71] On 7 November 2014, before the Brazilian Grand Prix, Force India announced that Pérez would remain with the team for the 2015 season.[72] Pérez stated that contract negotiations were "ongoing", in regards to a further contract extension. The deal was officially confirmed two weeks later at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Pérez signing a two-year contract, until the end of the 2016 season.[73]

 
Nico Hülkenberg driving for Force India at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.

Force India missed the first pre-season test in Jerez, due to an unexplained setback in the development of the Force India VJM08. It was later revealed that Force India was, according to insider Ralf Bach, "facing financial collapse," and was "currently insolvent." He also suggested that the delays in the VJM08 were due to the fact that "important parts suppliers have not been paid".[74] Robert Fernley, deputy Team Principal, later admitted that the team was likely to miss all three pre-season tests, though he said that they might use the 2014 car to do some "driver and tyre work."[75] However, Force India's 2015 car finally broke cover when Hülkenberg hit the track on day two of the third and final test at Barcelona.[76] The car was an updated version of last year's challenger and was immediately reliable. They had a good start to the season with Hülkenberg finishing in a strong seventh place in the Australian Grand Prix.[77] However they struggled thereafter and did not score points until the Bahrain Grand Prix courtesy of an eighth-place finish by Pérez.[78] Both drivers delivered strong results in Monaco and Austria. The team later introduced a highly modified B-spec car at the 2015 British Grand Prix,[79] featuring two distinctive vents in the nose.[80] The car was a significant step forward from its predecessor, particularly in high-speed corners.[81] In Belgium, Pérez almost took the lead of the race on lap one and ultimately finished in a strong fifth place.[82] He followed up this drive with a sixth-place finish in Monza and seventh in Singapore. In September Sahara Force India lodged a formal complaint to the European Union against Formula One for breaching competition laws.[83] At the Russian Grand Prix, Pérez put Force India on the podium with a third-place finish, its first podium since the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix.[84] Hülkenberg and Pérez finished seventh and eighth in Pérez' home race in Mexico City. This upturn in form helped Force India achieve their best placing of 5th place with 136 points in the Constructors' Championship, although scoring 19 fewer points than its predecessor.[85] This is a remarkable achievement considering the team's financial plight and their late preparations of the season by delaying the B spec version of their car. The Force India VJM08 for 2015 was suitable for the aerodynamic changes from the 2014 season.

2016 season

edit
 
Pérez leads Hülkenberg in the 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix

Force India retained Hülkenberg and Pérez for a third successive season in 2016. It proved to be the most successful season in the team's history to that point, after finishing fourth in the Constructors' Championship with 173 points.

Pérez scored his first of two podium finishes at the Monaco Grand Prix, finishing third, which was also the first time that the team had scored a podium at Monaco in any of its guises – Jordan, Midland, Spyker or Force India. Pérez finished third again two races later at the European Grand Prix in Baku.[86] At the Belgian Grand Prix the team managed to get their first double-finish within the top-five since the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix with Hülkenberg finishing fourth and Pérez finishing in fifth. As a result, the team took fourth place in the Constructors' Championship from Williams, their highest ever finishing position in the team's history.[87]

2017 season

edit
 
Esteban Ocon driving for Force India at the 2017 British Grand Prix.

In 2017, Hülkenberg left Force India to join Renault. Esteban Ocon was signed to replace him in his first full season in Formula One, having driven for Manor during the second half of the 2016 season. Pérez remained at Force India for a fourth season.[88]

The VJM10 brought a change to a pink livery, following a new sponsorship deal with BWT.[89]

Ocon and Pérez finished the first five races of the season in the points, notably at the Spanish Grand Prix with Pérez finishing fourth and Ocon a career-best fifth. This run of points finished ended at the Monaco Grand Prix with both cars finishing outside the points. The two have been involved in a number of collisions in subsequent races. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, both drivers collided with each other with Pérez damaging his front left suspension and losing his front wing, before eventually retiring from the race. Ocon recovered from a puncture to finish sixth. At the Belgian Grand Prix, the two collided again whilst battling for position with Ocon damaging his front wing and Pérez getting a puncture. Ocon finished ninth but Pérez retired from the damage caused by the puncture late in the race.

The team secured fourth place in the Constructors' Championship for a second successive season at the Mexican Grand Prix. The points total at the end of this season was 187, the team's best points tally ever.

2018 season

edit
 
Nikita Mazepin testing the last Force India car the Force India VJM11 during pre-season testing in Barcelona.

For the 2018 season the team retained the 2017 line up of Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon.[90] At the opening race in Australia, Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon finished 11th and 12th respectively.

The team was put into administration during the Hungarian Grand Prix. The legal action was instigated by a group of creditors, including Sergio Pérez, as a means of allowing the team to continue to operate while a new owner was sought. Pérez justified the action as a response to a winding-up petition filed by HMRC and supported by Formtech, a supplier, which would have resulted in an unmanaged insolvency of the company and almost certain collapse of the team.[91] A consortium led by Lawrence Stroll ended up acquiring the team's assets.[92]

Approaching the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix, the situation regarding the team's ability to compete remained unsure, as in order to buy the shares in the team, the consortium needed agreement with the creditors of the parent company - including 13 banks which held a freezing order over the assets of the parent. Agreement could not be reached in time, so the consortium was unable to buy the shares, and was limited to purchasing only the assets of the team. The team then had to participate in the F1 Championship under a new name, thus the adding of "Racing Point" to the team's name. The FIA excluded the former Force India entry from the championship "due to its inability to complete the season", and welcomed the new legal entity, Racing Point Force India F1 Team, that was allowed to race, but not to keep any points of the old team. This signaled the end of the constructor that had been founded for the 2008 season.[93]

 
The last podium of the Indian team at the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen and Sergio Pérez.

Sponsorship and partners

edit

Kingfisher, a brand owned by Vijay Mallya, was the primary sponsor. Other sponsors for 2008 included ICICI Bank, Medion, Kanyan Capital, Reebok and Reliance Industries Limited.[94] The above sponsors, except ICICI Bank and Kanyan Capital, continued to sponsor the team in 2009. New sponsors include AVG, Airbus and Whyte & Mackay.

In December 2009, Computational Research Laboratories (CRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, and Force India Formula One Team announced an exclusive three-year multimillion-dollar partnership deal to offer a fully automated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solution to aid the design of the team's next generation race cars as well improve aerodynamic efficiency in the current racing models.[95] Force India F1 has tied up with Airbus and EADS for technological support, and has a technical partnership with McLaren.[96]

In October 2011, Indian company Sahara India Pariwar purchased 42.5% of the team's shares for $100 million.[4] Mallya retained 42.5%, and the remaining 15% belonged to the Mol family. The team was renamed Sahara Force India as a result.[97] The shares sold were newly issued; Mallya and Mol did not sell any of their existing shares.[98]

Brazilian auto parts manufacturer Aethra joined the team as an official partner in 2012.[99] Other sponsors include Kingfisher Airlines (former), Whyte and Mackay, United Breweries Group, Vladivar Vodka, AVG Technologies, Alpinestars, Reebok, Schroth Racing, Muc-Off, Hackett, Chatham-Marine, UPS Direct, STILL and STL.[100] Smirnoff announced a partnership with the team in May 2014. Univa announced a partnership with the team in June 2014.[101] Force India announced a partnership with the Japanese company NEC Corporation (Mexican Division) for the 2015 season. Force India supported Hilmer Motorsport in GP2 and GP3 in 2014. In 2015 Force India announced a partnership with Adaptavist.[102] Since 2011, Force India have also provided backing to teenager Jehan Daruvala following his win of the team's 'One in a Billion' competition.[103]

Hype Energy Drinks has been a Force India sponsor since the 2015 season, with their CEO, former Formula 1 driver Bertrand Gachot, having driven for predecessor team Jordan during the 1991 season.[104] Force India have featured Hype Energy branding on the rear wing and side pods of the car for races where alcohol advertising is prohibited.[105] Hype Energy also supply the drivers with personal drinks bottles for races.[106]

On 14 March 2017, Force India announced a new sponsorship with BWT AG, which saw the VJM10 gain a striking pink livery, leading to the 'Pink Panther' nickname used for the cars by fans, commentators and the team themselves on social media.[107][108][109] Another new sponsor for 2017 was whisky brand Johnnie Walker, with whom Force India struck a multi-year deal.

Racing record

edit
Main article: Force India Grand Prix results
Year Name Car Engine Tyres No. Drivers Points WCC
2008   Force India Formula One Team VJM01 Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 B 20
21 		  Adrian Sutil
  Giancarlo Fisichella 		0 10th
2009   Force India Formula One Team VJM02 Mercedes FO 108W 2.4 V8 B 20
21
21 		  Adrian Sutil
  Giancarlo Fisichella
  Vitantonio Liuzzi 		13 9th
2010   Force India Formula One Team VJM03 Mercedes FO 108X 2.4 V8 B 14
15 		  Adrian Sutil
  Vitantonio Liuzzi 		68 7th
2011   Force India Formula One Team (1–15)
  Sahara Force India Formula One Team (16–19) 		VJM04 Mercedes FO 108Y 2.4 V8 P 14
15 		  Adrian Sutil
  Paul di Resta 		69 6th
2012   Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM05 Mercedes FO 108Z 2.4 V8 P 11
12 		  Paul di Resta
  Nico Hülkenberg 		109 7th
2013   Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM06 Mercedes FO 108F 2.4 V8 P 14
15 		  Paul di Resta
  Adrian Sutil 		77 6th
2014   Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM07 Mercedes PU106A Hybrid 1.6 V6t P 11
27 		  Sergio Pérez
  Nico Hülkenberg 		155 6th
2015   Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM08
VJM08B 		Mercedes PU106B Hybrid 1.6 V6t P 11
27 		  Sergio Pérez
  Nico Hülkenberg 		136 5th
2016   Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM09 Mercedes PU106C Hybrid 1.6 V6t P 11
27 		  Sergio Pérez
  Nico Hülkenberg 		173 4th
2017   Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM10 Mercedes M08 EQ Power+ 1.6 V6t P 11
31 		  Sergio Pérez
  Esteban Ocon 		187 4th
2018   Sahara Force India F1 Team VJM11 Mercedes M09 EQ Power+ 1.6 V6t P 11
31 		  Sergio Pérez
  Esteban Ocon 		0[a] Ex

Driver development programme

edit

During Force India's time in F1, the team supported multiple drivers on the FIA Global Pathway and gave them the opportunity to participate in Formula One test sessions. These drivers include:

Former drivers

edit
Driver Years Current series
  Jehan Daruvala 2012–2018 None
  Steven Goldstein[110] 2015 None
  Alfonso Celis Jr.[111][112] 2015–2017 None
  Nikita Mazepin[113][114] 2016–2018 None
  Lucas Auer[115] 2017 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
  Nicholas Latifi[116] 2018 None

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Sahara Force India F1 Team drivers scored 59 points prior to when the constructor points were voided

References

edit
  1. ^ "Force India". StatsF1. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Mallya and Mol set for Spyker takeover". formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. 3 September 2007. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  3. ^ "Spa-Francorchamps results". BBC Sport. 30 August 2009. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Sahara buys 42% stake in Mallya's Force India F1 team". The Times of India. The Times Group. 12 October 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  5. ^ Andrew Benson (28 July 2018). "Hungarian Grand Prix: Force India put into administration by High Court". BBC. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Lance Stroll's father agrees Force India takeover deal to save all 405 jobs". The Independent. 8 August 2018. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Midland sells MF1 Racing to Spyker". grandprix.com. Inside F1, Inc. 9 September 2006. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  8. ^ "Spyker considers selling F1 team". Haymarket Publications. 14 August 2007. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  9. ^ "Spyker change name to Force India". BBC Sport. 24 October 2007. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
  10. ^ "Fisichella, Sutil, Liuzzi confirmed at Force India". formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. 10 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  11. ^ Joseph, Noah (11 February 2008). "Force India blings out the VJM01". Autoblog. Weblogs, Inc. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  12. ^ "Force India usher in a new era at Mumbai launch". formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. 7 February 2008. Archived from the original on 10 February 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  13. ^ a b Batra, Ruhi (9 February 2008). "Force India's first target will to beat Aguri". The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  14. ^ Tremayne, David (17 March 2008). "Australia race analysis – an afternoon of surprises". formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  15. ^ "Monaco GP – Sunday – Race Report: In the wheeltracks of giants". GrandPrix.com. Inside F1, Inc. 25 May 2008. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  16. ^ "Gascoyne: Kimi should be penalised". ITV-F1.com. ITV plc. 25 May 2008. Archived from the original on 8 July 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  17. ^ Simon Strang (25 May 2008). "Sutil reprimanded for passing under yellow". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  18. ^ a b "Seamless shift Force India's last major '08 development". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. 11 August 2008. Archived from the original on 13 July 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  19. ^ Noble, Jonathan (15 July 2008). "Force India set to switch focus to 2009". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2008.
  20. ^ "The 2008 newcomers – Force India". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. 10 March 2008. Archived from the original on 3 November 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  21. ^ "Italy Sunday quotes: Force India". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 14 September 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  22. ^ a b "2008 Team Review – Force India". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. 24 November 2008. Archived from the original on 6 June 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  23. ^ "Force India keep drivers for 2009". BBC Sport. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 17 December 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
  24. ^ "VJM 02 to be revealed on Sunday". IndianGrandPrix.net. WordPress. 24 February 2009. Archived from the original on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  25. ^ Messinger, Ross (19 April 2009). "Vettel Wins 2009 Chinese GP and Webber Takes P2 to Mark a Red Bull Surge". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  26. ^ Singh, Talvir (23 July 2009). "2009 German GP: Mark Webber Powers To First Victory at Nurburgring". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  27. ^ "Spa-Francorchamps results: qualifying". BBC Sport. 29 August 2009. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  28. ^ Collantine, Keith (30 August 2009). "Kimi Raikkonen edges Giancarlo Fisichella for win (Belgian Grand Prix review)". RaceFans. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Liuzzi replaces Fisichella at Force India". Reuters India. 7 September 2009. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
  30. ^ Rajagopal, Ravikumar (13 September 2009). "2009 Italian GP Review: Brawn Dominates Monza and Shuts Out Bulls!". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  31. ^ "2009 Constructor Standings". Formula 1. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  32. ^ "ESPN F1 | Formula 1 news and live F1 coverage". En.f1-live.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  33. ^ "Ricciardo tops final day of testing". F1technical.net. 3 December 2009. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  34. ^ Elizalde, Pablo (2 February 2010). "Force India signs di Resta as reserve". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  35. ^ "Force India Launch VJM03". Reuters. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2023 – via Eurosport.
  36. ^ Rajagopal, Ravikumar (28 March 2010). "2010 Australian GP Review: Jenson Button Wins a Thrilling Race". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  37. ^ Joseph, Noah (4 April 2010). "2010 Malaysian Grand Prix: If at first you don't succeed..." AutoBlog. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  38. ^ Rajagopal, Ravikumar (10 May 2010). "2010 Spanish GP Review: Bulls on Rampage with a Webber Win". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  39. ^ "Mark Webber leads Red Bull one-two in Monaco grand prix". Daily Mail. 16 May 2010. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  40. ^ Allen, Tim (30 May 2010). "Lewis Hamilton Wins a Loopy Turkish Grand Prix". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  41. ^ Gendron, Francois (15 June 2010). "2010 Canadian Grand Prix: Complete Success!". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  42. ^ Collantine, Keith (2 June 2010). "Mark Smith leaves Force India for Lotus". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2010.
  43. ^ "2010 Constructor Standings". Formula 1. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  44. ^ "Scot Paul di Resta gets F1 drive with Force India". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  45. ^ Xavier, Leslie (9 February 2011). "Force India launches new car VJM-04". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  46. ^ "Saubers disqualified over technical infringement – updated". Formula One Administration. 27 March 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  47. ^ Allen, Patrick (24 July 2011). "Lewis Hamilton Takes a Well-Earned Victory at the 2011 German GP". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  48. ^ Singh, Amanpreet (30 October 2011). "Vettel clinches first ever Indian GP, Sutil earns 2 points". CNN-IBN. Turner International India. Press Trust of India. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  49. ^ "Webber posts first win of 2011 at final round". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 27 November 2011. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  50. ^ "Hulkenberg joins Di Resta in Force India's 2012 line-up". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 16 December 2011. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  51. ^ "Jules Bianchi joins Sahara Force India as reserve driver for 2012". ForceIndiaF1.com. Force India. 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  52. ^ "Sahara Force India unveil VJM05 for 2012 season". The Times of India. The Times Group. Press Trust of India. 3 February 2012. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  53. ^ Alan Baldwin (20 April 2012). "F1 teams rattled by Bahrain petrol bombs". Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  54. ^ Young, Byron (21 April 2012). "Bahrain Grand Prix: Force India come close to withdrawing". Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  55. ^ Smith, Luke (25 April 2020). "Brazil 2012: The race that could have changed an F1 nearly-man's career". Autosport. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  56. ^ "2012 Constructor Standings". Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  57. ^ "Paul di Resta". Force India. Archived from the original on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  58. ^ "Adrian Sutil". Force India. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  59. ^ Anderson, Ben; Tremayne, Sam (1 February 2013). "Force India VJM06 launch: New car a total rethink". Autosport.com. Haymarket Media Group. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  60. ^ "Force India off to best ever start at Melbourne". CNN-IBN. Turner International India. Indo-Asian News Service. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  61. ^ Wood, Donald (21 April 2013). "Bahrain Grand Prix 2013 Results: Reaction, Leaders and Post-Race Analysis". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  62. ^ "2013 Constructor Standings". Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  63. ^ Elizalde, Pablo (3 December 2013). "Nico Hulkenberg rejoins Force India for F1 2014 campaign". Autosport. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  64. ^ "Sergio Perez joins Sahara Force India with multi-year deal". Motorsport.com. 13 December 2013. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  65. ^ Benson, Andrew (13 December 2013). "F1: Adrian Sutil signs for the Swiss Sauber team in 2014". BBC. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  66. ^ "Daniel Juncadella joins Sahara Force India as a reserve driver". Sahara Force India. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  67. ^ Jones, Matt (16 March 2014). "Australian F1 Grand Prix 2014 Results: Winner, Standings, Stats and Reaction". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  68. ^ "F1 Bahrain: Hamilton wins, Force India on podium". Autocar India. 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  69. ^ Collantine, Keith (22 June 2014). "2014 Austrian Grand Prix lap times and fastest laps". RaceFans. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  70. ^ "2014 Constructor Standings". Formula 1. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  71. ^ "Nico Hülkenberg retained by Force India for 2015 F1 season". The Guardian. Press Association. 21 October 2014. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  72. ^ "Sergio Perez: Force India driver to stay with Formula 1 team in 2015". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 November 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  73. ^ "Sergio Perez: Force India driver signs up for 2016 season". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 November 2014. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  74. ^ "Force India facing uncertain future – report". Motorsport.com. Motorsport.com, Inc. 28 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  75. ^ "Force India might now miss all three pre-season tests". GrandPrixTimes.com. Grand Prix Times. 7 February 2015. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  76. ^ Barretto, Lawrence. "Force India's VJM08 2015 Formula 1 car makes track debut in test". autosport.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  77. ^ "2015 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix - Race Result". Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  78. ^ Marsden, Rory (20 April 2015). "Bahrain F1 Grand Prix 2015 Results: Winner, Standings, Highlights and Reaction". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  79. ^ Gill, Pete (10 June 2015). "Force India to introduce new B-spec car at the British GP". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  80. ^ "Force India VJM08 – nosecone 'nostrils'". formula1.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  81. ^ Ltd., Crash Media Group. "Hulkenberg hails new Force India 'step forward' – F1 News". crash.net. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  82. ^ "Plucky Perez delivers season best finish for Force India". The Times of India. Spa. Press Trust of India. 23 August 2015. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  83. ^ "Force India and Sauber lodge complaint against F1 with European Union". Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  84. ^ "2015 Constructor Standings". Formula1.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  85. ^ Harden, Oliver (2 November 2015). "Mexican Grand Prix 2015: Winners and Losers from Mexico City Race". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  86. ^ Bradley, Charles (19 June 2016). "European GP: Rosberg wins as Hamilton toils to fifth". motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  87. ^ "Spa love affair continues with double Top Five finish". Sahara Force India F1 Team. 28 August 2016. Archived from the original on 2 September 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  88. ^ Khorounzhiy, Valentin (10 November 2016). "Force India signs Ocon on multi-year deal". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  89. ^ "BWT SIGNS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH SAHARA FORCE INDIA". BWT (Press release). 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  90. ^ "Force India". Formula1.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  91. ^ "Perez explains Force India's financial position". 29 July 2018. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  92. ^ "Force India set to exit administration". Formula1.com. 7 August 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  93. ^ Cooper, Adam (24 August 2018). "Rival Formula 1 teams allow Force India to keep prize money". Autosport.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  94. ^ "Sponsors". forceindiaf1.com. Force India. Archived from the original on 15 October 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  95. ^ "CRL partners with Force India to help design the next generation of Formula 1 cars". forceindiaf1.com. 16 December 2009. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  96. ^ "Force India's first target will be to beat Aguri". India Times. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2007.
  97. ^ Beer, Matt (12 October 2011). "Sahara Group becomes Force India co-owner". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  98. ^ "Force India's 42.5% stake bought for $100 million by Sahara India; F1 team to be called Sahara Force India". economictimes.indiatimes.com. The Economic Times. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  99. ^ "Bianchi's sponsor signs up with Force India". Inautonews. S.C. Pixelmedia SRL. 16 February 2012. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  100. ^ "Sponsors". ForceIndiaF1.com. Force India. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  101. ^ "Univa becomes technical partner of Sahara Force India Formula One Team". Force India. Force India Formula One Team Limited. 4 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  102. ^ "Sahara Force India partners with Adaptavist". Adaptavist. Adaptavist.com Ltd. 6 March 2015. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  103. ^ "Sahara Force India Announces The Winners Of The One From A Billion Hunt". 31 October 2011. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  104. ^ "Hype to keep Sahara Force India energised in 2017 – Force India F1". www.forceindiaf1.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  105. ^ "Extra Hype Energy branding featured at the 2017 Bahrain GP". hype.com. 18 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  106. ^ "Driver Hydration by @hypeenergy 9am Ready to go! #F1Testingpic.twitter.com/red1njowKa". twitter.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  107. ^ "Force India unveil startling new pink livery for 2017". Formula1.com. Formula One World Championship Ltd. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  108. ^ "Sahara Force India Formula One Team". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  109. ^ "Instagram post by Sahara Force India F1 • Sep 2, 2017 at 3:58 pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  110. ^ "El colombiano Steven Goldstein llega al mundo de la F1". 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  111. ^ "Force India sign Alfonso Celis as development driver". formula1.com. Formula One World Championship Limited. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  112. ^ "Celis Jr slots into Force India's test line-up". Planet F1. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  113. ^ "Force India ropes in Russia's Nikita Mazepin as development driver". Cricket Country. 26 April 2016. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  114. ^ "FORCE INDIA HANDS FURTHER TEST RUNS TO NICHOLAS LATIFI, NIKITA MAZEPIN". DRIVETRIBE. 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  115. ^ Christian Nimmervoll (18 July 2017). "Offiziell: Lucas Auer testet in Ungarn für Force India". Motorsport-Total.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2017.
  116. ^ "Nicholas joins Sahara Force India as reserve and test driver". nicholaslatifi.com. 5 January 2018. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Force India.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Force_India&oldid=1258402983"