F1: Force India to use Toyota wind tunnel

The Force India Formula 1 team will use Toyota's wind tunnel facilities for all its aerodynamic testing during the 2015 season and beyond.

The Japanese manufacturer's wind tunnel in Cologne, Germany is regarded as one of the best in Europe, and it has been used by several teams in recent years. Ferrari used the facility while it worked on upgrading its own tunnel.

"The decision to use Toyota's facility in Cologne is indicative of our ambitions to continue as a competitive force in Formula 1," said team boss Vijay Mallya. "It's one of the most significant decisions in our history and gives us access to what is regarded as one of the finest wind tunnels in the world.

"We have used the facility previously on an ad hoc basis and we are aware of the advantages of basing all our aerodynamic research in Cologne. It will strengthen our approach and give us a solid base to build upon for the years to come."

The decision to focus on the Toyota tunnel comes amid a rule change for 2015 that means F1 teams can only nominate one wind tunnel.

Appendix 8 of the sporting regulations states: "Each team may nominate only one wind tunnel for use in any one 12-month period. The first nomination must be made on or before January 1, 2015 and no re-nominations may be made for at least 12 months."

Force India said its own wind tunnel facilities in Brackley, UK will remain operational for external customers.