Force India unveil VJM05

Drivers Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg were on hand at Silverstone to launch the new-look car, which features the step nose that is set to become a common theme this coming season.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Di Resta said he hoped the VJM05 would be the car that propels the team to fifth place in this year's Constructors' Championship - the stated aim of team boss Vijay Mallya.

"I think every individual in this team has put a lot of effort into this car. The momentum we had at the end of last year, hopefully we've managed to carry that over," the Scot said.

"It's a fine piece of art and hopefully when it gets to the track it'll show what it's capable of."

New team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, meanwhile, is looking forward to getting back in the thick of the action this year having spent 2011 on the sidelines as Force India's reserve driver.

"I'm very much looking forward to look what's underneath here [the car] and then get out there and do some racing again," the former Williams driver said.

New F1 regulations mean that a car's nose must now be no higher than 55cm. However, the height of the front bulkhead remains at 62.5cm, leaving the potential for a step between the two.

Caterham's CT01 set the trend and now Force India and Ferrari have followed suit.

However, McLaren ran with a lower nose and bulkhead prior to the rule change, meaning their car does not feature the step.

Hot topic

Technical director Andrew Green explained: "It's a bit of a hot topic this year. There's been a bit of a regulation change on the nose height. With our philosophy, we've gone with the drop nose.

"Obviously a lot of people commented on the McLaren a couple of days ago. They have a different aero philosophy at the front, so they've managed to keep their nose down.

"For us, it's not a big deal. It's purely aesthetics."

The VJM05 also sports raised exhausts which are placed further forward after the use of exhaust blown diffusers was effectively banned.

Green said attempts to claw back the lost downforce would start in earnest during winter testing.

"I think there's quite a few teams that will launch with a basic specification. They're holding their cards close to their chest," he said.

"We're going to be looking at some different solutions over the winter and we'll be keeping an eye on what everyone else does in that area."

Preparing

The team are now preparing to test their new-look car at Jerez next week.

With McLaren and Caterham having already launched - and Ferrari also revealing their challenger on Friday - Lotus are next in line on Sunday, with Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Sauber all set for a Monday launch at Jerez ahead of the first pre-season test.

Williams reveal the FW34 the following morning, with Mercedes and Marussia respectively introducing their new cars at the second and third pre-season tests in Barcelona.