Force India now looks unlikely to take part in the second pre-season test in Barcelona with its 2015 car in a fortnight, due to “further delays”.
The Silverstone-based outfit has already missed the first test, both with its new car and its 2014 car which it had originally planned to run, but chose not to at the last minute for reasons of “efficiency”.
Deputy team principal Bob Fernley says they will now use last year’s car at the next test before debuting the VJM08 at the final test.
“Given the workload and timescales involved, it’s now looking more likely that the VJM08 will run at the final Barcelona test at the end of February,” Fernley told Autosport.
“That means we will use the 2014 car at the next test. The mileage on the VJM07 will still allow us to run the 2015 Pirelli compounds.”
The delays have led to speculation that the team is struggling financially and could miss the opening race of the season in Australia if investment isn’t found soon.
However a Force India spokesman told Grand Prix Times that finances aren’t a problem.
“I can dismiss the stories of financial troubles,” they stated, whilst Fernley added: “We will be in Melbourne for the start of the season, there’s no doubt about that.”
