Force India introduces mini-winged shark fin

Force India has got heads turning the Formula 1 paddock with its unique new shark fin design which includes 30 mini wings on top of the fin plus a larger T-wing as the hunt for downforce plays a key role at the Singapore Grand Prix.

With the Marian Bay Street Circuit one of the tracks which demands the highest level of downforce from F1 cars for improved performance, Force India team principal Vijay Mallya teased continued developments on the VJM10 for Singapore as it looks to lockdown fourth in the world constructors’ championship.

During the set-up for the Singapore GP race weekend, Force India revealed its radical design with the aim to increase downforce on the rear of the car plus guide windflow to the T-wing. The T-wing has three separate struts across its plane to demonstrate Force India’s ongoing development push for 2017 – with the shark fins and T-wings expected to be outlawed for next year.

Quizzed about the new design, Force India driver Sergio Perez echoed his team boss’s sentiments but says the team can’t assume its fourth-fastest tag from previous races due to the circuit characteristics in Singapore.

“The rules don’t change much for next year so definitely it’s important to carry on the development and I really hope that this upgrade package can be good for us,” Perez said. “It’s going to definitely be a big challenge given that the engine is not so important round here so it’s going to be definitely a tricky one.

“You’re going to have the Renaults, the Toro Rossos, the Haas, the McLarens, all the way pushing us so it’s going to be a difficult weekend.”

Mercedes has also arrived in Singapore with a revised and large shark fin design.