A takeover of the Force India team may still be in the works. In February, reports emerged that talks between the Silverstone based team and a consortium led by British energy drinks company Rich Energy were taking place.
But Force India denied a $280 million deal was being discussed. The team insisted there "is no offer from potential investors under consideration".
However, sources now report that delay in Force India changing its name for 2018 could be because the new owners wish to change the name next year instead. The same sources say the Rich Energy deal could be completed later this month.
Asked what the next step is for Force India, Mexican driver Sergio Perez said: "I think the next step the team should take is on the budget. There are good things planned for the future but nothing confirmed yet, but the main thing has to be the budget," he told Spain's El Mundo Deportivo.
Without more cash, Perez thinks Renault and McLaren threaten Force India's fourth placed spot in the championship. "We'll have to be careful with them this year because their progress is huge," he said. "It's going to be difficult. There's a lot of competition," he admitted.
What Perez is happy about is his teammate Esteban Ocon, even though they clashed badly on and off the track in 2017. "The reputation Ocon has now is because he is next to a competitive driver, which makes me feel proud," he said. "It's also important for me to have a comparison with an elite driver like Esteban." (GMM)
'Force India takeover to be completed this month'
- Published on 05 Mar 2018 10:25
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Replies (4)
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As long as the new owner is serious, committed and has decent amounts of money, these could be good news. Lord knows Mallya need to get his corrupt clutches away from that team.
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- Mar 5 2018 - 18:08
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I really hope it turns out to be a good deal. I don't get tired of repeating how impressed I am with Force India as a team. With a budget similar to Sauber managing to get podiums, beat Williams, Mclarens, Renaults, occasionally Red Bulls and Ferraris. They remind me of Williams before they sold their soul.
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- Mar 5 2018 - 18:16
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I hope they will be able to continue doing that kinda stuff this year. Lord knows we need more teams able of doing that kinda stuff.
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- Mar 5 2018 - 18:18
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So subsequently it will be called the RE, the Rich Energy, the Rich, the Energy? Not a very bad name (if you'd ask me)
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- Mar 5 2018 - 20:07
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- Team Cadillac F1
- Points 1,450
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- Country MX
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- Team name Force India
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I really hope it turns out to be a good deal. I don't get tired of repeating how impressed I am with Force India as a team. With a budget similar to Sauber managing to get podiums, beat Williams, Mclarens, Renaults, occasionally Red Bulls and Ferraris. They remind me of Williams before they sold ... [Read more]