Force India begins winter testing

With a distinctive new interim burgundy red and white livery, the newly-renamed Force India F1 Team will embark on a three-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, from 13-15 November.

Using two of the Ferrari-powered former Spyker F8-VII chassis in their new colour scheme and fitted with the mandatory-for-2008 FIA electronic package, Force India will use contracted test drivers Roldan Rodriguez and Giedo van der Garde to open the test while team driver Adrian Sutil will be joined by Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi on the other two days.

Note to Editors

Twenty-two year old Spaniard Roldan Rodriguez competed in the GP2 series this season with the Minardi Piquet Sports team. His season high point was a podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August. Prior to GP2, he competed for several seasons in Spanish Formula 3, finishing second in 2006, Euroseries 3000 and Italian F3000. He was also a test driver for the Minardi F1 Team in 2005.

After a strong career in the junior formulae, including winning the 2002 German Formula Renault series and the prestigious Marlboro Masters of F3 title, Christian Klien moved directly to Formula One with Jaguar Racing in 2004 and remained with the team under its new name of Red Bull Racing in 2006. This year he has been test and reserve driver for the Honda Racing F1 Team. As a result the 24-year-old Austrian has a combined four years of F1 to his credit.

Vitantonio Liuzzi raced for Toro Rosso in the FIA Formula One World Championship this year. The Italian secured his best finish of the season, 6th position, in China. He won the F3000 championship title in 2004, before moving to join the Red Bull Racing team in 2005 and moved over to Toro Rosso for 2006.