Force India gets a new additional owner - Sahara India Pariwar

[Vas]

Force India have confirmed that a 42.5 per cent stake in the team has been sold to Sahara India Pariwar, a large conglomerate, for $100m.

The announcement was greeted with cynicism in some quarters since team principal Vijay Mallya  - who retains 42.5 per cent himself – reacted to media speculation last month by assuring everyone that he had no intention whatsoever of selling up.

Of course, Mallya can point out that he has not actually sold the team, he has merely sold off part of it and become co-owner (the Mol family own the other 15 per cent). But some in the F1 press are nevertheless unimpressed with him, with rumours persisting that this is merely the first phase in a gradual exit. What is more important is whether this investment will help the Silverstone-based outfit (originally  Jordan.. then Spyker) become a force in the sport.

With the Indian GP and a big F1 push in the country on the way, there is certainly potential. But constantly changing ownership structures/team names etc does not help build brands…