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Mallya happy with Force India driver pairing

Mallya happy with Force India driver pairing

  • Published on 01 Jul 2014 11:26
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Drivers at Force India and Williams appear unlikely to feature in this year's F1 'silly season'. He may now be an 'ex-billionaire' as his airline sinks, and he is set to begin the new financial year by facing court in India as an alleged 'wilful defaulter', but Vijay Mallya's Force India team is doing well in formula one.

"We are competing consistently against a team like Ferrari, which operates on a budget more than double of what we use," team boss Bob Fernley told the Indian news agency PTI. "It goes to show that the smaller teams can compete against the top teams."

Indeed, Force India - based just a stone's throw from the British grand prix venue at Silverstone - is nipping at Ferrari's heels for third in the constructors' championship, and comfortably ahead of another F1 giant, McLaren. The 2014 car is powered by the field-leading Mercedes V6, but Force India is also happy with the pair of drivers at the wheel.

"I have a great respect for Checo and his talent," Mallya, referring to Mexican Sergio Perez's nickname, said this week. "He's a talented young lad and I'm happy to have him in the team." Mallya also said he is happy with German Nico Hulkenberg, who alongside Perez completes Force India's new-in-2014 lineup. "Nico's class is well recognised in the paddock," he said, "and he's scored points in every race this year."

Yet another driver not on the market for 2015 is Felipe Massa, who after a sometimes sputtering start after his move from Ferrari finally broke through with a popular pole in Austria last time out. He spent last weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, driving Damon Hill's 1996 title-winning car and reminding reporters that his new Williams contract still has two more years to run.

Asked if the German touring car series DTM might be an option for his future, Massa told Speed Week: "Of course, why not. I even thought about it last year when I didn't know if I would be staying in formula one. But I will be here (F1) for a few more years." (GMM)
F1 News Felipe Massa Sergio Perez Williams McLaren Ferrari Force India Mercedes

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Date
Grand Prix
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia
Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China
Shanghai International Circuit
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United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
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Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Silverstone
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Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy
Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
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United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
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Canada Gilles Villeneuve
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Spain Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
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5 - Jul 7
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19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
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23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar Losail International Circuit
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United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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BR Felipe Massa -
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  • Country BR
  • Date of b. Apr 21 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Sao Paulo, BR
  • Weight 59 kg
  • Length 1.66 m
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