Six companies registered at Companies House under Force One name
Wednesday 28 June 2017 15:46, UK
Force India have begun the process of a possible rebrand as Force One with the formation of a number of limited companies under the new name.
Listings at Companies House reveal six companies were registered to a London address between May 31 and June 6.
The only director listed for the companies - Force One Grand Prix, Force One Racing, Force One Team, Force One Technology, Force One Hospitality and Force One Brand - is Dr Thiruvannamalai Lakshmi Kanthan.
Dr Laskshimi Kanthan is a long-time associate of Force India owner Vijay Mallya and already a director with the team.
He is also named as a sole director of Force One Consultancy, which was registered on June 2 to a separate address.
Force India's chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer confirmed to Sky F1 at the Azerbaijan GP that they hoped to rebrand for the 2018 season in a bid to have greater global appeal.
"Dropping the India, we've had the discussion, I think it makes sense," he said.
"We used to have an Indian GP, we don't anymore, we had Indian sponsors at one point and now we have none.
"Sometimes India in the name will limit the opportunities, especially for sponsorship, so if we drop that it will broaden our horizons a bit and I think it makes sense."
Asked when it might happen, Szafnauer replied: "Probably end of season."
Any application for a name change must to be approved by the FIA and other teams through the Formula One Commission.
Don't miss the F1 Report: Azerbaijan GP Review on Sky Sports F1 at 8.30pm on Wednesday for the final word on the weekend's action.
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