The delayed Force India VJM08 is finally due to take to the track on Friday in Barcelona - leaving the team with barely three days in which to run it before the first race.
The car was late due to cash flow problems at the team, which caused problems with its suppliers, most notably the third party who builds the chassis.
The team missed the Jerez test completely but ran last year's VJMO7 at Barcelona last week to gain some knowledge of the 2015 tires, and to honor a commercial arrangement with Mercedes to give the works team's test driver Pascar Wehrlein some mileage.
“It has progressed well over the last few days and the car has now been fired up at the factory,” said COO Otmar Szafnauer of the VJM08. “That’s always the key moment when the car truly comes to life. We have seen a tremendous effort from every department over the last few months to get us to this stage and we’re looking forward to seeing the car take to the track later this week.
“The VJM08 will arrive in Barcelona on Friday morning and the final setup will take place in the garage at the track. We are aiming to get out on Friday and the new car will run as much as possible over the weekend.”
