Force India VJM11 explained

The Force India VJM11[1] is a Formula One racing car designed and constructed by Force India to compete during the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship. The car was driven by Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon,[2] and made its competitive début at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix. Following the bankruptcy of the Force India team, the Force India assets were purchased - including the VJM11 design and built cars - by a new team, Racing Point Force India, who continued to enter the VJM11 under the Force India name.

Season summary

The VJM11 originally scored 59 points up until the before the team's championship points were voided following the bankruptcy of Force India and the subsequent purchase by Racing Point Force India. Prior to the purchase, Pérez's best result was third at the, while Ocon had a pair of sixth place finishes at the and the .

After the summer break, the VJM11, debuting under the Racing Point Force India banner, took a surprising third and fourth in their first qualifying with Ocon starting ahead of his teammate. Ocon ultimately finished sixth and Pérez in fifth.[3] By the end of the season, the VJM11 accumulated 52 points and finished 7th in the constructors' championship.

Sponsorship and livery

The VJM11 was painted with a white base colour and pink livery; the pink tone was brighter than previously. Despite the team were took over by a new ownership, no changes were made to the livery itself. However, both Sahara India Pariwar and Kingfisher sponsorships were terminated starting from the Belgian Grand Prix onwards. BWT, Hype Energy, Uralkali and Sofina were retained until the end of the season.

Complete Formula One results

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

YearEntrantEngineTyresDriversGrands PrixPoints
AUSBHRCHNAZEESPMONCANFRAAUTGBRGERHUNBELITASINRUSJPNUSAMEXBRAABU
Mercedes
Ocon121011RetRet69Ret678130EX
Pérez111612391214Ret710714
LatifiTDTD
Ocon66Ret99DSQ1114Ret527th
Pérez57161078Ret108
LatifiTDTDTDTD

Notes and References

  1. News: Force India F1 launch: New team name likely before Australia. Adam. Cooper. Autosport. Motorsport Network. 26 February 2018. 27 February 2018. There is a "high probability" that Force India will change its 2018 Formula 1 team and chassis name before the start of the season in Australia, according to Otmar Szafnauer..
  2. News: 2018 F1 Entry List. 1 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180201202904/https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship/season-2018/2018-f1-entry-list. 1 February 2018. dead. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.
  3. News: Belgian GP: Jolyon Palmer column - Why F1's ultimate underdog Force India has bright future. 28 August 2018. 11 October 2024. BBC Sport. Palmer. Jolyon.