The Force India team have announced that their technical partnership with McLaren’s Applied Technologies department will continue through to the end of 2012, after the team endured it’s most successful season to date.
The deal to supply the Silverstone based outfit with technical support, gearboxes and hydraulics has been in existence since 2009.
In conjunction with the supply of Mercedes engines, the Force India drivetrain is almost identical to that of McLaren, a team which secured five wins in 2010.
Responsibility for the development of the VJM04, and subsequent cars will be taken by newly-appointed technical director, Andrew Green, who steps up from his current role as director of engineering.
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal of Force India, commented: “I am very pleased to formally confirm Andrew will step up to become the team’s technical director. He knows the team inside out, both from his previous tenure with the team and through his position this year.
‘I am also delighted to be able to give Andrew and his team the stability and opportunity to take us forward with the extension to the McLaren Applied Technologies contract.
“The partnership with McLaren and Mercedes has matured into one of the most successful relationships on the grid. In 2009 we scored 13 points, one pole position and one podium and in 2010 we secured our highest-ever championship position and 68 points overall. I’ve always said I would like to see a Force India on the podium at the Indian GP and I believe we have the resources, both human and technical, to do it.”
Martin Whitmarsh, team principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, added: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to extend the programme of co-operation between McLaren Applied Technologies and Force India.
“Force India has continued to develop as a team during the 2010 season, and to improve year on year its competitive position, and we’re pleased that McLaren Applied Technologies has played a key part in that performance.”
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