Zoom A limited pre-season programme for Force India Mercedes

Ahead of its official debut on Sunday, Force India's new Formula One car on Wednesday made its first appearance at a circuit.

The Mercedes-Benz powered VJM02 was shaken down at a private session at Silverstone before it is immediately transferred to Jerez for next week's group test.

Giancarlo Fisichella will drive the car initially in Spain, before handing over for the remainder of the test to team-mate Adrian Sutil. "I'm itching to drive it," said Fisichella.

The pair admitted to the Indian newspaper Hindustan Times that the 2009 car's late debut is not ideal.

"Obviously, it does (make me nervous)," Fisichella said. "We are late and I am a little bit worried."

Sutil added: "We have just eight days to test the car, four in Jerez and four in Barcelona. We will try and make the most of it."

E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International