The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Mallya opts for Force India

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Monday, Oct 22, 2007
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Sport - Racing : Motor

Mallya opts for Force India

SAO PAULO: Spyker will be renamed as the Force India Formula One team next season, new owner Vijay Mallya said on Saturday.

The flamboyant Indian billionaire, who bought the team this month with Dutch businessman Michiel Mol, told Reuters at the Brazilian Grand Prix that he had asked the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) for approval.

“We have applied to the FIA for a change in name of the company and the team from Spyker to Force India,” he said. “I think that sums it all up as to why I am here.”

If approved, the name change will be the third since 2005, when Silverstone-based Jordan was sold to Midland. Midland became Spyker last year after being taken over by the ailing Dutch luxury sportscar maker.

Mr. Mallya said he expected the management of the team, which has scored just one point this season, to stay the same and he was determined to keep highly rated German rookie driver Adrian Sutil as well.

The team logo will be in the colours of the Indian flag but an Indian driver was less of an immediate priority.

“It would be very complementary, however it is not essential,” he said.

“We need a driver of some calibre to also improve the performance of the team. We can’t have rookies only...for better performance I need a proven driver.”

But I think that to have an Indian team in the form of Force India on the grid will attract far more interest from the Indian fans,” added Mr. Mallya. — Reuters

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