Force India gains new backer

Just before the first Indian GP, Force India took on a major new investor in high-profile business conglomerate Sahara India Pariwar.

Run by entrepreneur Saharasri Subrata Roy Sahara, the real estate, media and healthcare concern already sponsors the Indian national cricket and hockey teams. It has invested £64 million in the Silverstone-based outfit, which will be known as Sahara Force India.

The level of equity has been increased to ensure new funding is pumped into the team, whose sponsors have mostly been companies owned by Dr Vijay Mallya. Both Mallya and Sahara will own 42.5 per cent stakes, with 15 per cent belonging to the Dutch Mol family.

Mallya says he will decide on his 2012 driver line-up in December, forcing Paul Di Resta, Adrian Sutil and Nico Hulkenberg to await news.