London, England - Force India will not take part in Formula One's opening pre-season test in Jerez starting this weekend.
However, a spokesman on Wednesday dismissed speculation that the Silverstone-based team, run and co-owned by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya, had made the decision for financial reasons and said it would be present at the following test in Barcelona.
The team had planned to run its 2014 car in Jerez, having already said the new VJM08 would not be ready, but the spokesman said it had since decided the learning opportunities were limited.
He added that the decision was made last week.
BENCHMARK FOR TESTING
Jerez has a particularly abrasive surface and does not feature in the championship while Barcelona hosts the Spanish Grand Prix in May and is regarded as a good benchmark for testing.
Barcelona will host two tests, with the first scheduled for 19-22 February.
Mercedes-powered Force India, which unveiled a new look at a team presentation in Mexico City last Wednesday, has Mexican driver Sergio Perez and Germany's Nico Hulkenberg in an unchanged lineup.
The team finished sixth in 2014 but spent much of last season calling for cost cuts and a more level playing field for the smaller outfits.
Formula One will start 2015 with two teams - Marussia and Caterham - in their death throes and the prospect of only nine on the grid when the season starts in Melbourne on 15 March.
Reuters