Force India working hard on 2015 car

Feb.16 (GMM) Force India is reportedly now hard at work on preparing its new car.

Earlier, it was rumoured that due to financial and supplier troubles, the Silverstone based team had not even taken delivery of the monocoque for the VJM08, let alone passed the mandatory FIA crash tests.

That would explain the absence of the team from the first test at Jerez, and also the reason for taking only the 2014 car to Barcelona for this week's action.

It is believed that, perhaps to offset unpaid bills to engine supplier Mercedes, the German giant's reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein will be at the wheel of the VJM07 this week.

After that, Force India's 2015 season appears brighter.

Russia's Championat is reporting that the car for this year's world championship, the VJM08, has now passed the FIA's mandatory crash tests.

That would put the car on track to make its debut in Barcelona for the third and final test, just before the trip is made to Australia for the season opener.

Deputy team boss Bob Fernley is quoted by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport: "We will be in Melbourne for the start of the championship, there is no doubt about that.

"Our testing time will obviously be limited, but we are doing everything possible to arrive in Australia in a good situation and with the greatest number of miles behind us."