F1: Force India And Virgin To Test Old Cars At Valencia, Renault Confirms January Launch For R31

Force India is among at least three teams set to travel to the Jerez test later this month without a 2011-spec car.

It was already believed that HRT and Virgin will not be ready with their new single seaters when the pre-season test period kicks off at Valencia on 1 February.

And Force India's Chief Operating Officer Otmar Szafnauer announced on Thursday: "The team will participate in all four pre-season tests and we will use the (2010) VJM03 for the first test in Valencia before the VJM04 makes its test debut in Jerez the following week."

Most other teams will begin the four-test period prior to the season opener in March with their new cars.

"Starting a test later with the new car gives us a couple of weeks more wind tunnel time when we are at our most productive to get the parts released for the new car," Szafnauer told Reuters.

A Force India spokeswoman this week refused to say when the team planned to announce its 2011 driver line-up, amid reports Nico Hulkenberg will drive on Fridays alongside racers Adrian Sutil and rookie Paul di Resta.

(GMM)

Renault Confirms January Launch For R31

Renault on Thursday confirmed reports that its 2011 car will be launched on the eve of the forthcoming pre-season group test at Valencia.

Most teams are planning to reveal their new cars shortly before the major session beginning on 1 February at Cheste, on the outskirts of the Spanish port city.

"The Lotus Renault GP R31 will be officially unveiled on 31 January in Valencia. More info to follow," Renault confirmed on Thursday.

On the same day – a Monday – Sauber has booked the same Ricardo Tormo circuit to present its 2011 car the C30, including some maiden demonstration laps.

(GMM)