F1: Force India to Consider ‘Attractive’ Offers

Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya has firmly insisted that his F1 team is not for sale. However, he did confess that he would consider an “attractive” offer for the team.

Over the past few months British company Rich Energy has been linked to a buy-out of the F1 team.

However with every report of a pending deal, there is always a follow up report denying such claims.

However, Mallya has said that he may yet consider selling Force India of which he owns a 42.5 percent stake.

“If somebody comes along and wants to pay an attractive price for anything, you have to put your commercial hat on and think about it commercially, not emotionally,” said the Indian businessman.

“And that’s precisely where I am.

“I cannot comment on the status of offers or discussions. But there is no agreed offer on the table backed by cash.”

The team are currently sitting in 6th in the 2018 F1 championship. They’ve managed to hold onto 4th place in the previous two seasons, but that challenge seems to be much harder this season.

Mallya’s difficulties and those of co-owners Sahara Group have resulted speculation about the team’s future. However, Mallya insists that his problems are not affecting the day-to-day running of the team.

India’s Sahara conglomerate was ordered to repay billions of dollars to investors in bonds that were ruled to have been mis-sold.

“Sahara’s problems and my problems are not new problems. They have been going on for more than three years. And within that period we have finished twice in fourth position in the world constructors’ championship,” said Mallya.

“This team is independent, it’s professionally managed. And it performs. So whatever difficulties the shareholders may or may not have, it doesn’t impact the team.”