Force India VJM07 Unveiling

Not so much an unveiling as a highly anticipated online reveal, the first 2014 machinery was shown today, with Force India posting a picture of the VJM07, which will of course be driven by Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez. The main talking point as a result of the release is Force India's radical new livery, as the team have swapped the white paint for black, giving the car a decidedly "fierce new look." It shows how the team are evolving and progressing as they head into their seventh season in the sport.

The VJM07, featuring an attractive new livery, swapping white for a "fierce" black
(c) Sahara Force India

Keeping A Poker Face...

While catching the first glimpse of what the latest incarnation of Formula One car is set to look like is always exciting, Force India have taken a very canny approach to the reveal. By showing the car from a side view, it is obvious that the noses are now lowered, however, we already knew that this would be a poignant feature of the new designs, given that the regulations have demanded a reduction in hight to improve safety measures. Aside from this, Force India are holding their cards remarkably close to their chest, with many of the interesting developments concealed by this angle.
From this angle, we cannot see the exhaust packaging, (which is now a single-exit package, which should prevent engineers from manufacturing the magical coanda effect.) In addition, the narrower front wings, reshaped side-pods and even the positioning of the mandatory cameras are yet to be seen. Force India's reveal is more about what they don't show as oppose to what they do and in my opinion, its nothing short of genius.

Lovely Livery

"The VJM07 looks stunning and the new livery reflects the way Sahara Force India is evolving," Team Principal Vijay Mallya stated on the official website. "I've always believed our cars have been the most eye-catching, but adding black as a main colour gives us a fierce new look."
The design is certainly eye-catching and in a season where almost everything on the car is new according to the team's Technical Director Andrew Green, the striking livery follows suit. One possible argument against the change of colour scheme could be that the team are beginning to loose their DNA as India's Formula One team. The nations colours are somewhat lost in this particular design, however, I do not see this as a significant issue. With and Indian Team Principal, delivering crucial Indian investment, it seems irrational to suggest that India is loosing touch with the Silverstone based team.

That is just about all we can ascertain from this understated reveal. Andrew Green's comments regarding the technical changes were kept to a minimum as paranoia between the teams begin to set in. With everyone wondering what everyone else is up too, keeping a poker face seems to be the methodology this season. Obviously, launch events such as McLaren's will reveal more technical information, but until Jerez, the secrets of the VJM07 will remain very much that...