After a landmark season which saw the team achieve a first pole position, podium finish – a brilliant second place at Spa and fastest lap, Force India is looking to build on last year’s triumph and enhance their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in Formula 1.

Retaining the services of Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi and securing former F3 Euroseries champ Paul di Resta as reserve driver, the team is on track for what team principal Vijay Mallya promises will be their most successful season yet.

‘I don't think I am being over-proud when I say 2009 was an exceptional year for us. The bare statistics say it all: one podium, one pole position, one fastest lap, a further five top 10 starts and 13 points. We've learnt from our experiences and we've come out a better team. We've got one podium so far but I would hope that, this time next year, I'm talking about more points and more podiums. I'm confident we can get this, why not aim high?'

The sleek VJM02 excelled at low downforce circuits such as Spa and Monza but for 2010, design director Mark Smith explains that the VJM03 will be a more potent all-round package.

‘The VJM02 was a relatively low drag car that showed well on the low downforce tracks. As was demonstrated throughout 2009, that was a useful attribute… but we recognize that our championship position will be enhanced by a general level of performance that is suited to all types of circuits. We have, we believe, quite an efficient car overall.'

Both drivers will shake down their cars in Jerez over the next few days and after showing some blistering pace last year Adrian Sutil is champing at the bit to start the season.

‘I think this year it's important to be consistent from the first race’ Sutil said. ‘I'd like to be in the midfield and be competitive from Bahrain. It's the first time we have been completely on schedule so I feel this will be the first season when I can show from the beginning to the end what is possible with the car and what I can do.

Tonio Liuzzi is aiming to build on his strong efforts at the end of last season and feels well prepared to fight for some point scoring finishes this year.

'After one and a half years in a test role, I feel really prepared, both physically and mentally for a full race season. My objective is to be as strong and consistent as possible and give good feedback to the team to help them improve. For sure scoring points as many times as I can is going to be the key and you never know, perhaps we can get something more as well if everything comes together.'

The VJM03 will make its official testing debut on 10 February at the Jerez circuit in Spain. Tonio Liuzzi will be on driving duties for the first two days before Adrian Sutil takes over on 12 February for a further two days. Paul di Resta will step into the car on 17 February in Jerez.