I'm continuing my written review blog and keeping the theme I am going to be reviewing on of my personal favourite F1 cars of all time, and that is the 2009 Force India VJM02.
This car, like it's predecessor, had some unique features and is essentially the foundation car that has made the team what it is today. We will look at how the car and the team experienced many firsts in the 2009 season.
This particular model is driven by the Italian drive Giancarlo Fisichella. This model like the VJM01 previously reviewed is 1/43 scale and made by Minichamps.
2009 Formula 1 season.
The 2009 season was quite an anomaly in hind sight. There was a huge rule change, drastically changing the appearance of the cars. But it wasn't just the changes in the cars that was the main change. Honda had left the sport, Brawn GP came in and from the word go dominated. Red Bull who had finished 7th in the 2008 constructors and behind its junior team Toro Rosso were at the front. Top end teams such as McLaren and Ferrari were both struggling to start with.
Force India 2009 season.
Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella were both retained from the 2008 season. Force India changed from Ferrari engines to Mercedes and had also started a technical partnership with McLaren. From the outset the pace of the Force India was drastically improved.
With in 3 rounds the team still hadn't scored. However were looking hopeful to score some much deserved maiden points at the Chinese Grand Prix. In the mixed conditions like in Monaco 2008, Sutil was holding 6th place ahead of reigning champion Lewis Hamilton. However Sutil hit a puddle and aquaplaned off the circuit and retired.
However it wasn't the only chance of points for the season. By the summer break Force India were still pointless, but with a massive upgrade package for the Belgium Grand Prix and the cars down-force suiting that track layout. Giancarlo Fisichella took the most unexpected pole position. Fisichella fought a hard fight against the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen. But unfortunately it was the Ferrari that had the upper hand and won the race. Force India had a scored their first points in style with a Podium finish.
Fisichella would leave Force India for Ferrari to replace Massa for the rest of the season.
At the next race at Italy Adrian Sutil qualified 2nd and finished 4th. Vitantonio Liuzzi replace Fisichella for the remainder of the season.
The Model.
Product Code: 400090021
Scale: 1:43
Driver: Giancarlo Fisichella
Year: 2009
The model consist 53 parts with 97 decorations. It has 21 mask sprays, 6 tampo prints, 49 decals and 21 free sprays.
My Thoughts.
This car is really the first proper Force India in my opinion. It is the ground work for all the VJM's to come. It featured the bold Green, Orange and White colour scheme. It is also the first car to be a part of Force India's 5 year plan which spanned from 2009-13. Because it scored Force India's first points, pole and podium all in the same weekend it will always be one of my favourites. It too like its predecessor it is featured in a smaller box than current F1 cars from 2010 on wards. It is a shame that this model isn't the exact car from Belgium and I would love for Minichamps to release a Limited edition of the Belgium Grand Prix car, just because it got itself a podium points and pole. Who knows maybe. Either way that is why I purchased Fisichella's and not Sutil's. It's a great car and like I said about the VJM01 I would add it to your collection if you're a Force India fan.
You can watch the review of this model soon at:
www.youtube.com/dmooreslotreviews
Thanks for reading. Don't forget to leave any comments.
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