Force India to skip first test

Force India will miss the first of the pre-season Formula 1 tests that takes place at Valencia next month. The Silverstone-based outfit will not run its new car, the VJM3, until the Jerez test that begins on 10 February. The team has chosen to delay the introduction of its car so it could have more time to develop it – a tactic similar to the one adopted by Red Bull Racing.

The complete F1 pre-season test schedule is as follows:

01-03 Feb: Valencia
10-13 Feb: Jerez
17-20 Feb: Jerez
25-28 Feb: Barcelona

Force India is expected to launch their new car a few days before 10 February.