The global launch of the 2008 Formula One Challenger Car was attended by several eminent personalities, political leaders and a bevy of celebrities and corporate head honchos along with the leadership team of Force India.
Commenting on the launch of the new Formula One Team Car, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and Managing Director, Force India Formula One Team Limited said, "I am delighted to present before you the livery of the brand new car that will compete in the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Today is a memorable day not only for me as the owner of India's first-ever Formula One team, but also for millions of Indians who can today watch India occupy a place of pride as Force India becomes the first and only Indian Formula One racing team to compete with the best in the world, at the pinnacle of motorsport."
"The Force India Formula One Team is one of the only eleven elite teams guaranteed an entry into the FIA Formula One World Championship Races. The Force India Formula One Team is the new global face of an emerging superpower and is today increasingly viewed as a Team that will change the dynamics of Formula One, bottom up and a Team that dares to dream.
Most importantly, the Force India Formula One Team has come to epitomize the dream of every Indian and is powered by the passion of a billion hearts!", added Dr. Mallya.
The VJM01 will run for the first time at the next test in Barcelona from 25 – 27 February 2008.
The Force India Formula One Team marks India's first truly global sports foray and embodies all the values that make India a formidable force in the modern world: grit and determination, youth, dynamism and most importantly an unmatched sense of passion.
The management at the newly formed Force India Formula One Team has firmly put down pillars on which the vision would be achieved.
Key amongst these would be the commitment to constant innovation and technological progress, continuous commitment of resources and creation of robust infrastructure to support grass root development of the sport and the team.
The Force India Formula One Team today has the benefit of the rich experience and best-in-class management from the world of Formula One.
The Force India Formula One Team will be taking key initiatives that will have the force of a billion hearts cheering the pride of India as it races across the globe during the 2008 season.
In line with the same, an aggressive marketing campaign has been unleashed which also features one of the sports' most advanced websites, www.forceindiaf1.com and Club Force, the team's official community networking platform.
Based in Silverstone, England, a stone's throw from the famous circuit that hosted the first ever Formula One World Championship race, the Force India Formula One Team has evolved from the iconic Jordan Grand Prix team and the recent Spyker Team.
The Team is now a finely tuned, state-of-the-art Formula One entity, ready to challenge some of the automotive industries' greatest brands for track victory.
The team boasts a total tally of 4 race wins and 19 podium places gained since its inception in 1991.