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Sahara Force India VJM07 Mercedes

Sahara Force India VJM07 image

Active: 2014
Team: Force India F1

Team: Andrew Green (TD), Otmar Szafnauer (COO), Vija Mallya (TP), Deputy team principal (DTP), Andy Stevenson (SD), Bob Halliwell (Production Director), Simon Philips (Aerodnyamics Director), Akio Haga (CD), Ian Hall (CD), Tom McCullough (CE)
Drivers: Nico Hulkenberg (27), Sergio Pérez (11)

The Sahara Force India VJM07 is another design signed off by Andrew Green, more and more known by his solid cars built on a limited budget. The team have invested a lot of time into this car, having decided to entirely halt development of the VJM06 halfway into the 2013 season.

The VJM07 continues to be powered by a Mercedes engine but marks a switch from gearbox suppliers as the team decided to use a Mercedes gearbox instead of the McLaren gearbox that was used in the VJM06.

The company's COO, Otmar Szafnauer highlighted at the car's online launch the chassis was an entirely new design, an unavoidable change due to the extensive regulation changes: "The chassis is completely new and all the systems are new."

The car had its shakedown on 24 January at Silverstone with Nico Hulkenberg at the wheel. It was however 4 days later at Jerez where it made its public debut. During this entire 4-day test, the car however showed several technical issues that limited the team's running.

Nico Hulkenberg
Pascal Wehrlein
Sergio Perez
Pascal Wehrlein
...

Specifications

Chassis: Carbon fibre composite monocoque with Zylon side anti-intrusion panels.
Front suspension: Aluminium alloy uprights with carbon fibre composite wishbones, trackrod and pushrod. Inboard chassis mounted torsion springs, dampers and anti-roll bar assembly. Rear suspension: Aluminium alloy uprights with carbon fibre composite wishbones, trackrod and pullrod. Inboard gearbox mounted torsion springs, dampers and anti-roll bar assembly.
Wheels: Motegi Racing forged wheels to Sahara Force India specification
Tyres: Pirelli
Brake system: AP Racing
Brake material: Carbon disc and pads
Dampers: Penske

Powertrain

Designation: Mercedes-Benz PU106A Hybrid
Type: Turbocharged, 90° 1.6l V6, assisted with kinetic and heat ERS
No of valves: 24 (4 per cylinder)
Fuel injection: High-pressure direct injection (max 500 bar, one injector/cylinder)
Pressure charging: Single-stage compressor and exhaust turbine on a common shaft
Bore: 80mm
Stroke: 53mm
Crank height: 90mm (minimum allowed)
Energy recovery system: Integrated Hybrid energy recovery via electrical Motor Generator Units, by Mercedes AMG HPP
Energy Store: Lithium-Ion battery solution, between 20 and 25 kg, by Mercedes AMG HPP