Force India Pictures

Force India F1 is a Formula One motor racing team. The team was formed in October 2007, when a consortium led by Vijay Mallya and Michiel Mol bought the Spyker F1 team for € 88 million.

Force India F1 represents increased Indian participation within Formula One, with Delhi all set to host the first ever Indian Grand Prix in 2010. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile confirmed the change in name from Spyker to Force India on 24th October 2007

Background
Although created in 2007, the team's roots can be traced back to 1991, when it was founded as Jordan Grand Prix. The Silverstone-based squad and facilities were bought by the Midland group in 2005 and re-named Midland F1 in 2006, before being sold to Spyker Cars towards the end of the 2006 season. However, the running costs of a small Formula One team once again caused the sale of the team[citation needed] this time to Indian billionaire Dr. Vijay Mallya (Chairman and CEO of The United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines).

The Buyout of Spyker F1
Rumours about the possible sale of the team had been abundant in the paddock throughout the last few months of the 2007 season, after Spyker announced their intention to sell 50% of the team, less than a year after Spyker bought it from Midland. The cost of the team was € 88 million, several million more than Spyker paid for the team initially.

2008 and onwards
Adrian Sutil testing for Force India in January 2008.

Colin Kolles will remain as team principal into 2008. Michiel Mol is director of F1 racing, and

Mike Gascoyne is the Chief Technology Officer.

Force India will use the Spyker F8-VII chassis for the first part of the 2008 season. The team will be using customer Ferrari engines in 2008, with the team's existing deal with Ferrari running to 2010. The team will also be using the Indian flag in its team logo from 2008. Former Spyker sponsor Etihad Airways have a contract with the team until 2009, and have yet to announce any changes to this arrangement. Force India will construct their own cars as Spyker did, as opposed to using customer chassis. Force India has a contract with Adrian Sutil for 2008.

In November 2007 the team invited Vitantonio Liuzzi, Christian Klien, Giancarlo Fisichella, Ralf Schumacher, Franck Montagny and former Spyker test drivers Giedo van der Garde and Roldan Rodriguez to take part in winter tests along with Sutil. Giancarlo Fisichella was reported to have taken the second seat at Force India after being replaced at Renault F1 by Fernando Alonso.

On January 10, 2008, Force India confirmed Giancarlo Fisichella as first driver and Vitantonio Liuzzi as a test driver. Adrian Sutil had already been confirmed and took the Second Driver Role.Also former Spyker test drivers Roldan Rodriguez and Giedo van der Garde have been confirmed as test drivers for Force India F1.



Pictures of Force India