Force India’s VJM08 makes belated track debut

After several delays, Force India’s 2015 car made its long-awaited track debut on day two of the final pre-season test at Barcelona on Friday.

The Mercedes-powered VJM08 left the garage just after midday local time with Nico Hulkenberg behind the wheel. The German will handle driving duties until Sunday when he'll hand over to team mate Sergio Perez for the last day of running.

Having used their 2014 car at last week’s opening session at the Catalan track because of delays to the VJM08’s build programme, the Silverstone-based squad are now expected to put their new machine through an intensive two-and-a-half-day test programme in preparation for the season-opening race in Australia on March 15.

Force India finished sixth in last year’s constructors’ standings, 26 points behind McLaren.