The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Orange India keen to add local flavour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 07, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Racing : Motor

Orange India keen to add local flavour

New Delhi: Business tycoon Vijay Mallya, who has completed an 88-million euro deal to acquire 50 per cent stakes in Spyker-Ferrari, plans to give his Formula One team an Indian flavour, although he is yet to confirm a name or driver line-up for 2008.

“I spoke to Dr. Mallya this morning, but will be able to give more details about anything regarding the deal only next week,” said a spokesperson from the Orange India Holdings, the consortium formed by Mallya and Dutch entrepreneur Michiel Mol, who has the remaining 50 per cent stakes.

The liquor baron, before completing the official documentation with the Spyker team, had admitted India had “robust basis” to acquire the deal with names like Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok, but refused to comment on the likely composition of his 2008 team.

“We do have two Indian drivers in Karthikeyan and Chandok. But it is too early to say if one of them will be chosen, so I will not make any comments on that.

“An Indian team with an Indian driver would be the ideal combination,” he said adding that “in future I will look very carefully into our karting championship to identify talents that can be developed into potential candidates for the team.” — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail