---
title: "Sahara Force India F1 Team Reveals New VJM11 Ahead of Barcelona Test"
description: "Unsurprisingly, the new Formula 1 challenger is still very much so, pink."
date: "2018-02-26"
modified: "2018-02-26"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18785/sahara-force-india-f1-team-reveals-new-vjm11-ahead-of-barcelona-test"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Barcelona"
  - "Force India"
  - "Formula 1"
  - "News"
  - "racing"
  - "Vijay Mallya"
---

# Sahara Force India F1 Team Reveals New VJM11 Ahead of Barcelona Test

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/02/jm1826fe21.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The Sahara Force India Formula 1 team pulled the wraps off its new contender—the VJM11, named for team owner Vijay Mallya—for the [2018 world championship](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18685/formula-1-drivers-and-their-helmet-designs-for-the-2018-season>) ahead of the first of two pre-season tests at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. The unveiling was performed by drivers Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon, alongside Chief Operating Officer Otmar Szafnauer, and Technical Director Andrew Green**.**

![message-editor%2F1519659850231-jm1826fe69.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1519659850231-jm1826fe69.jpg>)
*VJM11 breaks cover in Spain., *Sahara Force India**

The new pink racer boasts the same combination of hues as it did the previous season but with a new design around the front wing and nose, side pods, [engine cover](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18780/ecclestone-calls-on-liberty-media-to-make-formula-1-electric-by-2021>) and rear wing. Of course, the [Halo is brand new](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18766/fernando-alonso-thinks-f1s-halo-shouldnt-be-a-debatable-issue>) for 2018. The VJM11 also wears the team's sponsors, which have grown considerably since the days when the entire car only featured company names owned by Mallya himself. New sponsors include the Mexican-government-owned oil company, Pemex and Ravenol lubricants, while the team claims that long-standing partnerships with Claro, Infinitum, Telcel, Nec, and Hype have been extended. Of course, the Austrian water company BWT still remains the team's primary—and pinkest—sponsor.

![message-editor%2F1519659897329-jm1826fe18.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1519659897329-jm1826fe18.jpg>)
*VJM11 front wing and Halo detail., *Sahara Force India**

Despite the presence of most of the team's corporate ladder during the ceremony, the two largest stakeholders, Vijay Mallya and Subrata Roy, had to skip the event due to legal troubles. Mallya is facing extradition to India for charges of money laundering and fraud surrounding the now-bankrupt Kingfisher Airlines. Roy is currently jailed in his home country on similar charges of fraud against investors filed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

Team Principal Vijay Mallya made the following statement from a remote location: “I see no reason why we cannot consolidate our position and improve. Yes, Formula One is a very tough and competitive environment, but we are an established team with continuity in all areas of the company. We don’t take anything for granted, but we will be disappointed if we are not [fighting for points](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18685/formula-1-drivers-and-their-helmet-designs-for-the-2018-season>) at every race this year.”

Perez and Ocon are scheduled to test the VJM11 at Barcelona ahead of the [2018 season](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18532/the-casual-fans-2018-formula-1-spotters-guide>) opener in Australia, where Force India will look to break into the top three of the constructors' championship after finishing fourth in 2016 and 2017.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)