2011 Formula 1 Season - Official Discussion Thread

[majidasadi]

i think this deal is a matter of concern for all f1 fans around the world

[phil1993]

Force India sold

Force India has become Sahara Force India with the sale, denied yesterday by Vijay Mallya, of 42.5 percent of the shares in the team. Sahara India Parivar will invest $100 million in the team. From what I am hearing Mallya is selling eight percent of his 50 and the Mol Family is offloading 34 percent. This means that Mallya will have 42 percent, Sahara 42.5 percent and the Molls will retain the rest. So who now owns the team? And what plans are there over the next three years for any change of ownership? More importantly, however, who can be trusted to tell the truth when people involved are capable of telling such outrageous lies?

My feeling is that Sahara will get control in a while but Mallya wants to edge out quietly. He has enjoyed his time in the spotlight and has spent a lot of money to up his profile. He cannot afford to spend more and so is handing the team over to people who can, reducing his losses as much as he can.

[iceman1]

Dr. Vijay Mallya: "I was shocked to read a media report that I am selling the Force India Formula One team. This is completely untrue and without any basis whatsoever. I take great pride in having been able to put an Indian team on the Formula One World Championship grid and have worked very hard to greatly improve the performance of the team. Now that India is finally on the Formula One World Championship calendar, my commitment to Force India becomes even stronger. As Team Principal, I will continue to run the team and I have no plans whatsoever to exit.”

New Delhi
October 7, 2011

[zoefrances]

good for vijay, we need force india in F1

[cformula1]

Force India has become a consistent performer, and I am sure this sale will only help them maintain or improve their form.

[Zack]

I think Vijay Mallya got the best deal.

[iceman1]

Sebastian Vettel visits Red Bull factory

[Eric_Cartman]

according to Motorsport-total.com Nico Hülkenberg will drive for force india next year with Paul Di Resta .

[phil1993]

They got that from Autosport magazine. They say that both Hulkenberg & Di Resta's contracts expired and both have been retained. Sutil will go to Williams if they are unable to get Raikkonen

[cformula1]

Good moves for all involved if true. Surely given that Sutil has reportedly been lined up for Williams if Kimi doesn't go there, this means that we probably won't see Rubens at Williams next year (as Maldonado has the cash to keep his seat), and thus raises the question of where Rubens will go- Virgin or HRT perhaps?

[phil1993]

Speed TV making an announcement on Tuesday, regarding exciting developments for F1 in the USA. It is expected to be the unveiling of a New York GP from 2013.

[KevC]

Not another rubbish street circuit, please Bernie!!

[NewF1Boy]

Two races in a country that doesn't really have the interest about formula 1?

[cformula1]

Can't see New York working- it'll turn out like the street circuits they used in the 80s. If F1 wants to succeed in the US they need to get better TV coverage- SPEED covering all FPs, Qualis and Races live with the Race on FOX either live or on delay depending on the event.

[phil1993]

Potential layout, according to Joe Saward



Taki Inoue (ex-Safety Car target) tweeted to say the Kimi-Williams deal is on, whilst Raikkonen's trainer says he is training hard, like he did when he was in F1.

Someone on Atlas said their "mate", who works at Williams, says Kimi is going to Grove next week/the week after for a seat fitting. Williams will make an announcement at the Indian Grand Prix.

----

Meanwhile, Charles Pic has emerged as a major candidate for the Virgin seat in 2012