Di Resta unveils VJM06posted in F101 | 02 | 2013
SCOTLAND'S PAUL DI RSTA unveiled his new Mercedes-powered Sahara Force India VJM06 at Silverstone today in front the world's Formula One media (watch our exclusive video of the unveiling).
Before lifting the wraps from the new car, backed by watchmaker TW Steel, he spoke with Scotcars' Jim McGill and gave his thoughts on the VJM06, the season ahead …. and his unknown team-mate.
JM: What are the main changes to the 2013 car?
PdR: Essentially the big thing is the rules haven't changed, so this is an evolution of the car we had last year: it's not a revolution. Cosmetically there are very minor detail changes: the big changes are all under the skin. And significantly, there are different philosophies behind it.
The car now has more tolerances mechanically and, importantly, it definitely has more speed and performance.
Hopefully, slowly but surely, we'll also introduce more constructive upgrades to analyse ahead of Melbourne.
Upgrades were slow to appear last year?
Yes, but I think we're definitely better prepared this year than we have been in the last couple of seasons. As soon as we come out the box in Melbourne, we need to have the performance capable of scoring points … and good points. We need to continue the performance we had in the second half of last season.
What input have you had in the car, or does that really start once you've driven it?
Obviously the design department essentially comes up with it. But I'm certainly far more comfortable in the car because they've addressed a number of areas which were perhaps not ideal for me. But that's what evolution's all about. You're a long time in an F1 car, so it's crucial to be comfy: you can always be a bit more comfortable.
Now, as the race team, and the test team, we'll go down to Jerez next week and test the car as it is and give the guys back at the factory as much feedback as we can.
We'll run through the list of objectives we need to achieve. That will be very methodical, and there will be a list of important parts which need to be checked.
What specific improvements are you looking for from the team?
We've looked at the big results of last year and worked out how we achieved them: we've analysed how we can replicate that again. That's what we're focusing on: understanding and delivering performance and reliability.
When it does work well, and we get a good result — as we did in Singapore last year — we need to understand when it does work, why it worked. Singapore wasn't a one-off: we achieved it in different parts of the year, but this season we need to try and ensure we deliver those results right through the season, because the team is capable of it. I've no doubt about that. Consistency is key.
You've unveiled this year's car without knowing who your new team-mate is: has that been strange?
It's entirely the team's decision to announce the driver line-up when they feel comfortable, and the board members are completely confident that they have chosen the right person.
I have always said I want it to be someone who I can work with, develop the team, develop the car, be a good team-mate and understand the big picture behind it.
At this present time, it's not affecting my preparations in any way. I'm fully focused on what I need to achieve. So I'm just concentrating on my own job.
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Jim McGill