Internet Desk : Formula 1 team Force India launched their new car Mercedes-powered VJM09 for the 2016 season on Monday . The team that finished fifth in the constructors standings last year despite delayed start to testing will be eyeing for a better finish this year .
Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez remain at the Silverstone-based outfit for a third season as teammates.Perez believes Force India’s new Formula 1 car has “big potential” following his first taste of the VJM09.
The team launched its new F1 challenger on Monday morning, before development driver Alfonso Celis Jr was entrusted with its first day of running.
Perez took over on Tuesday, setting a time of 1m23.650s on the super-soft compound to be third-fastest for the day, behind the ultra-soft shod Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo.
“Very good, very positive,” the Mexican driver said.
“I am very happy with my first day in the car, there is big potential that we have to exploit out of this car.
“I certainly feel comfortable and happy to be here in the first day.
“We more or less managed to complete the whole programme that we were hoping to do today.
“When you have days like this, on your first day in the car, definitely it’s a good thing.”
Last year the car made its debut in the final test at Barcelona, it was not a full package until the team’s B-spec update was introduced mid-season at Silverstone.
From there, Perez and team-mate Nico Hulkenberg helped Force India to its best finish of fifth in the constructors’ championship.