It will be better than last year! - Fisico

The Force India Formula One Team's 2009 challenger, the VJM02, made its track debut today at the Circuit de Jerez, southern Spain, with Giancarlo Fisichella at the wheel. The Italian speaks about the upcoming season and of course the new car.

"It's not a difficult question to answer - I still love this job, I like driving F1 cars and I am passionate about motorsport. Plus I am very confident in this new car and with the new partnership with McLaren and Mercedes. It is a very exciting opportunity for the team, and that in itself is enough to keep me motivated. Our car is ready quite late relative to the others, and I am looking forward to getting my hands on it. I want to drive the car as soon as possible."

"I had some rest and obviously sent a lot of time with my family. I went to Kenya for the New Year, did a bit of skiing, but also a lot of training for this year. It has been a good break but quite long, after so many days out of the car I really want to get back in!"

"I think this year is maybe the biggest change for many years, with KERS, slick tyres, downforce and new aero rules, so it's very exciting. It would be good to see all the teams mixed up and to be able to fight for points. If the car is good, why not even for the podium?"

"I don't think so, to be honest. First of all, I drove with them back in 1997 and they were completely different compounds used with completely different cars and engines. In the 12 years since then the cars and the tyres have evolved so much you can't really compare the two periods. I don't think there will be much of an advantage having driven on them before."

"KERS. It's a very complicated system that gives at least 60 - 70 horsepower for around six seconds. It could be for us to get the strategy right. It's also a big challenge for every team to make sure it's ready at the first race."

"It's positive for sure. With Ferrari last year we had a good partnership, they were very professional and the engine was very good, but with McLaren and Mercedes we have a fantastic opportunity to integrate the whole engine, gearbox, hydraulics and KERS system."

"It is a disadvantage as it's important to drive as much as you can before the start of the year to get a feeling with the car and try and establish a good set-up. It's not easy in just four days, especially with the new rules coming in this year. We are just going to have to try and get as much as we can from these eight days before the season."

"I think so. We will try and do as much running as possible, but the problem is that we are limited on the number of engines this year, so you have to balance out putting in miles and keeping the engines."

"We work well together, he is a nice guy and very quick. He is focussed even though obviously last year we were struggling as the car was not quick enough. We did our best and in a few races we could have scored points. We will work on this direction together."

"It's always nice to discover a new country and city so Abu Dhabi will be good. Anywhere where the driver gets a chance to shine, for example Monte Carlo, which is one of my favourites, is also exciting, and Singapore was great last year. I think this year the first races will be good as for the first time no one really knows what will happen. Also I really like Australia as I won there, so I have great memories."

"I hope so, for sure it will be better than last year!"