Vijay Mallya says no timeline on Force India rebrand
"You can't keep changing the name of the team frequently so whatever decision we take has to last another 10 years," Mallya says
By Jonathan Green
Last Updated: 01/08/17 9:48pm
Force India owner Vijay Mallya says there is "no specific timeline" for the team's rebrand as they ponder name options to make the team more attractive to sponsors.
Mallya confirmed at the British GP that he is looking to drop 'India' from the team's name in order to make them more appealing internationally.
The Silverstone-based team are in their 10th season in F1, Mallya having bought out the Spyker outfit in 2007, and have become increasingly prominent in the sport - finishing fourth in the Constructors' Championship for the first time last season while they currently occupy the same position in this year's standings.
"The [name change] is a work in progress. It arose because we were in discussion with certain sponsors who expressed some reservations on Force India being too geographically or territorially specific," Mallya told reporters.
"There are international sponsors who are interested who have no business in India. They have a global audience. I think the time has come that we also provide them with a global opportunity or global platform.
"So after living with Force India for 10 years, the time has come now to change. But you can't keep changing the name of the team frequently so whatever decision we take has to last another 10 years."
Last month, there was speculation the team could rebrand as 'Force One' after several companies were registered at Companies House under the name.
'Force India begin rebrand process'
But Mallya says that is just one of the names under consideration.
"Over a management discussion, Force One was suggested. Everybody liked it and once you come up with a name you have to check the name is available," he said.
"It was so we registered the name and that started all the speculation about changing to Force One, but we haven't decided on that yet.
"Some people have come up with newer suggestions, such as just Force Racing. Suggestions will keep coming up and we will decide.
"There is no specific timeline. Will it be done this year for next year? I can't answer that because we are under no pressure to take an early decision.
"When the right name comes with our partners' engagement, with a buy-in from everyone then we will go ahead and deliver it."
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