This is the fourth installment of my Force India reviews. I am doing them in chronological order. So far we have reviews the VJM01 VJM02 and VJM03. This review is Paul Di Resta's VJM04. This is another Minichamps 1/43 scale diecast model.2011 F1 season.
Bridgestone left the sport and Pirelli came in as the sole tyre provider of F1. Their aim was to recreate the tyre degradation that the Canadian GP caused at every track. Meaning more racing and pit stops. DRS (Drag Reduction System) was introduced also as the "F-duct" pioneered by McLaren and copied by others, was deemed "un-safe" as drivers had to block the gap with their hands or other parts of their bodies. Sebastian Vettel was the new champion and was the youngest world champion. KERS units would be optional for all teams.
The maximum aspect ratio of the "bladed" rollbar structure – pioneered by Mercedes to decrease the obstruction of air to the rear wing – has also been reduced. The 2011 Lotus T128 and Force India VJM04 cars were both launched with a similar device, based on the same principle as the Mercedes device, but the Lotus and Force India variants are legal under the rules because the blade structure is thicker than the one developed by Mercedes.The India Grand Prix also made its debut to the F1 calendar, giving Force India's it's true home GP. (Silverstone being dubbed it's original home GP).
Force India's 2011 season.
Adrian Sutil stayed with the team and Friday test driver Paul Di Resta was promoted to the race seat. Liuzzi moved to HRT. Nico Hulkenberg became the new Friday Test driver after being dropped by Williams for Pastor Maldonado. Paul Di Resta scored in his first two races. In Melbourne he was promoted to 10th after both Sauber's were found to be illegal. Di Resta scored a 6th place finish as his best result in Singapore. Di Resta finished 13th in the WDC 3 points behind Kamui Kobayashi. Adrian Sutil scored the teams first top 10 finish in the WDC after he too score 6th place as his best result, both a Germany and the finale at Brazil. A major change for the team also happened late through the season. In October 2011 Sahara India Pariwar purchased 42.5% of the teams shares at $100 million (USD). Vijay Mallya holds 42.5% also and the remainder is owned by Mol Family.
This meant from October the team was officially Sahara Force India and started running Sahara Force India decals across the rear wing DRS "letterbox" flap.
The team score 69 points. One more that 2010 and finished 1 place higher at 6th in the constructors.
The Model.
The model is excellently detailed and like I mentioned in a previous review. I said I'd explain how. If you look in the cockpit of this model you can see a track guide. This particular model is from the Spanish GP as you can clearly see the Circuit De Catalunya above Di Resta's right arm. Product Code: 410110015
Scale: 1:43
Driver: Paul Di Resta
Year: 2011
This model consists of 58 parts with 116 decorations. It has 22 Mask sprays and 22 Tampo prints. 45 decals and 27 Free sprays. My Thoughts.
It's great that Minichamps have made the Force India's as I really am quite exclusively devoted to them. I have never been a McLaren Ferrari or Red Bull fan so for a company to acknowledge these smaller teams and make models of them is really great. If I am honest the VJM04 isn't my favourite VJM the VJM02 VJM05 and VJM07 are my top three. Nonetheless I obviously had to add this one to my collection. The car isn't the expensive either to get hold of and is probably the cheapest car out of all the Minichamps Force India's on the market.
You'll be able to watch a video review soon at:
www.youtube.com/dmooreslotreviews
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