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Force India And Toro Rosso Complete Their Respective Official Car Launches

The remaining two teams to officially introduce their 2018 cars for the upcoming season, Force India and Toro Rosso, unveiled their respective challengers. Presentations took place today on the first day of the Formula 1 pre-season testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain.

Force India And Toro Rosso Complete Their Respective Official Car Launches

Force India presented the new VJM11 which features the pink color from 2017 and some details in white.

Vijay Mallya‘s team incorporated the Halo system nicely in the machine and painted it in the same pink tone.

Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon had high praise for the new car. But Russian driver Nikita Mazepin was the driver to take the car out on the track at Barcelona.

VJM11 completed 22 laps in Mazepin’s hands and its best lap was a 1:25.628.

Ocon is scheduled to drive the car tomorrow and “Checo” should be in the seat for Wednesday. The French driver posted on Twitter a message with the caption “New season, new car, new challenges” and a picture of the new vehicle.

Mallya convinced the team can maintain the progression

Force India had their greatest F1 season in 2017 even though they could not reach a podium spot. But, according to the squad’s website, Team Principal Vijay Mallya believes they can improve.

“I see no reason why we cannot consolidate our position and improve. Yes, Formula One is a very tough and competitive environment, but we are an established team with continuity in all areas of the company. We don’t take anything for granted, but we will be disappointed if we are not fighting for points at every race this year.”

Szafnauer is loving the “striking” livery

Otmar Szafnauer, Force India’s Chief Operating Officer, gave his impression about the car’s livery: “The VJM11 certainly looks eye-catching in its new livery. We worked very closely with BWT to deliver an even stronger identity for the car this year and everybody is really happy with the result. The new shade of pink is very striking and really pops out.”

Toro Rosso presented their STR13… officially

After last week’s leaked pictures and team’s official post of the new STR13, the Faenza-based squad’s official car launch took place today at Barcelona. The vehicle’s livery had the same look shown in the team’s Social Media posts published last week.

The new Toro Rosso-Honda hit the track in the hands of New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley and fulfilled 70 laps in the morning session and the best lap time was a 1:22.371.

Tost: A new era for our team

Red Bull-Toro Rosso Honda Team Principal, Franz Tost declared himself optimistic on their new partnership with Honda and their driver lineup. “I am really looking forward to begin this new season and enter a new era for our team, working together with Honda. It’s an exciting time for Toro Rosso because we have not had our own engine supplier before, so to partner with a manufacturer, with the history Honda has, will be great.

“We also have two accomplished rookies for the 2018 season. They are not completely new because both Pierre and Brendon drove a handful of races for us last year, but this will be their first full season in Formula 1.  Both drivers come to us as champions, as Pierre won the 2016 GP2 (now F2) Championship, while Brendon is a double World Endurance Champion and 24 Hour of Le Mans winner. I’m convinced that if we provide them with a competitive car, they’ll be able to perform at very high levels.”

Honda’s Dedication

Katsuhide Moriyama, the Chief Officer for Brand and Communication Operations of Honda, expressed his happiness with the Japanese manufacturer’s partnership with Toro Rosso: “I am delighted that our new car is here and ready for the start of winter testing, having been designed and built to a very tight schedule. That is a tribute to the dedication of the Honda and Scuderia Toro Rosso personnel who have already learned to work very well together, developing the STR13 chassis and RA618H power unit package over the short winter months.

“We have eight days to evaluate our work on the track, in order to be ready for the coming season. We appreciate the warm support from the fans and hope they enjoy watching us compete in this year’s championship.”

The Drivers

Gasly wants to “smash it” every race

Pierre Gasly, who drove with STR for five races last season and didn’t score points, explained he’s hopeful to do well in 2018. “It’s a big year ahead and I’m super excited about it all, starting testing and then the first race isn’t that far away. I just want to smash it for the 21 races that we have ahead of us.

“I always want to be the best and try my hardest. It’s true that this is F1 and, even if in the
last few years I’ve been fighting for wins, podium finishes and titles, this year, that might be a little bit more complicated! But it doesn’t change my aim of always doing the best I can with the equipment I’m given.”

Hartley: Living my dream

New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley, as the team’s official web published, is living a dream with Toro Rosso and the opportunity he received to drive an F1 car. “I’m looking forward to a lot of new challenges and I’m particularly excited about the first event. Australia isn’t a home race for me, but when I was back in New Zealand, every second or third person I met told me they were coming to watch in Melbourne. So I’m hoping to see a lot of New Zealand flags there. Generally, I’m looking forward to the whole season as this is something I’ve dreamed about my whole life.”

Hartley is set to complete today’s Barcelona test and will drive again on Wednesday. Whilst Gasly will jump into the car on Tuesday and Thursday test days.

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