Exclusive interview with Vijay Mallya: “My dream is called Force India”

He is the latest arrival among team owners, but he is already the man of the moment in Formula 1. Vijay Mallya has opened the doors (and coffers) of the enormous Indian market to top Formula, giving an important boost to long-awaited penetration of motoring into the rich Far East. But Mallya is not just a billionaire intent on investing in F1: he is a man of great intelligence, resourcefulness and above all experience in the world of racing. From him you will not see teams managed with bare-bones budgets, of Stoddartian memory, nor seats assigned to the highest bidder as Spyker had accustomed us to in its short history. His is a long-term project, which aims to finally give the much-needed stability (economic but also technical) to a team that in recent years had made precariousness its reason for being. To the microphones of F1GrandPrix.it, Mallya granted an exclusive interview in which he explains his dream in detail. The dream of a man, who has a million people behind him.

Mr. Mallya, where did your decision to buy a Formula 1 team come from?
“I sponsored the Benetton Formula 1 team in 1995 and then again the Toyota Formula 1 team in 2007. Frankly, at that time I had no idea that I would buy a Formula 1 team. But the fact that I sponsored the Toyota team made me convinced that with the tremendous economic growth in India and such rapid growth taking place for the prosperity of Indians, Formula 1 would be a very exciting platform for my brand, particularly in the Indian market, as well as the global market . Then, when the opportunity arose to buy the Spyker F1 team, I looked at the India opportunity and very quickly we realized that the potential for an Indian-owned Formula 1 team on the grid of the World Championship would have been huge. We have a very young nation with young people, who earn more, who have higher values ​​and aspirations, who want an alternative to cricket, the most followed sport in India. Formula 1 is exciting and full of glamour, it corresponds to the current values ​​and aspirations of young rich Indians. So we decided to go ahead and buy the Spyker team.”

At what stage are your team's preparations for 2008 in terms of drivers and technical staff?
“On the technical side, we have Mike Gascoyne who wanted to strengthen his engineering leadership. We have therefore approved the appointments of Mark Smith and Ian Hall. Mark is already working with us, Ian will join us in January. I gave Mike Gascoyne all the technical resources he wanted. As for the drivers, I made it clear from the very first day that we will keep Sutil, because we believe he is very talented. Regarding the second driver, we had Ralf Schumacher, Fisichella, Liuzzi and Klien test the car. I am now in discussions with them and ultimately we will decide on our second driver shortly. Rodriguez is also on the shortlist, but he must also get his super license.”

Why didn't you choose an Indian pilot?
“We need to improve the team's performance first and the driver is a very important component to improve the team's performance. I don't see an Indian driver at the moment who can do this job for me. Maybe in the future he will. If Force India Formula 1 could have an Indian driver when the first Indian Grand Prix starts in 2010, it would be perfect. But we need to have a driver who also does the work for the team.”

He spoke about Formula 1 as a platform for his brand. From the point of view of a company investing in it, are you satisfied with how Formula 1 is currently managed or would you have any changes to make to the regulations?
“I think Formula 1, as it is, is glamorous, competitive and very attractive. It certainly attracts the attention of a huge number of Indians. I think the Force India Formula 1 team is uniquely fortunate because of its emotional connection with Indians. More and more people, I think, will be fans of Formula 1. Television audience figures in India have grown by 60% since I announced that I would buy this team. This alone shows that the interest is there and for this reason it is a unique opportunity for companies that want to promote their products in the Indian market. An element of Formula 1 that I am particularly attentive to is the fact that this is a constructors' championship. Therefore, every team that participates must be a builder. I am not in favor of the customer chassis proposal. I have a factory, I have 250 people, I have a development circuit, I have a wind tunnel, I have everything to be recognized as a manufacturer. If someone simply writes a check and buys another team's car and engine, I will absolutely not be in favor of it."

It is becoming increasingly difficult for independent teams like yours to survive in the Formula 1 of the big manufacturers. How do you see this situation?
“Max Mosley designed many of the new FIA regulations to reduce the costs of running a team, so obviously small teams like us will benefit. We use Ferrari engines, the rest of the car is designed and built by us. We believe that the regulations have made it possible for us to be competitive and this is positive.”

In recent years the Spyker team, ex-Midland, ex-Jordan, has undergone many hardships, many transitions, many changes. From what he has told me so far, I understand that his is, finally, a long-term project for this team. What do you think of those who preceded you and, above all, what mistakes will you avoid repeating?
“I don't want to comment on what happened in the past. This isn't my job. I wasn't involved, so I really don't know. As far as I'm concerned, the team now has the right budget. After appropriate discussions with the technical staff, I have given them all the resources and they have carte blanche to carry out all the technical development necessary to improve the team's performance. I motivated my boys a lot, they are all enthusiastic and motivation is a very important component. Ultimately, my goal is very clear: Force India Formula 1 must be on the podium at the 2010 Indian Grand Prix. Our commitment to the team is total and the opportunity for the Indians is huge. It will be challenging, but it will also be a lot of fun.”

And for 2008? What are its goals?
“No longer being in last place, but moving up the grid a little.”

Fabrizio Corgnati