No launch for new Force India next month

Feb.11 (GMM) True to the form of its formula one team rivals, Force India will not organise a formal launch for its 2009 car.

Last year's event was a glamorous affair in Mumbai, staged in front of the famous Gateway of India monument.

But team owner Vijay Mallya's brands, particularly the airline Kingfisher, have not been immune from the global financial crisis.

"There will be no formal launch this year," the Indian billionaire confirmed on Tuesday, according to India's Telegraph.

For 2009, the Silverstone based team has teamed up with McLaren and Mercedes, with the 2009 car - the VJM-02 - due to appear at only the last two test sessions next month before the trek to Melbourne.

Nonetheless, the technical tie-up moved long time former McLaren driver David Coulthard to observe this week that Force India could be the "shock of the season" in terms of surprise pace.

Mallya said: "I would like to say one thing, don't expect miracles.

"No team has had enough testing and so, the first couple of races will be shakedown races. From Barcelona onwards, we will be seriously competitive," he promised.