Force India hope to finish well

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The born-again Force India wants to sign off with some more points in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

Force India chairman Vijay Mallya's assessment is the outfit has exceeded its own expectation in the second half of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship but he is candid enough to admit that things could have been even better.

Naturally, Mallya said, the idea would be to add some more points to the kitty on Sunday.

"Brazil was a missed opportunity to score points. Adrian (Sutil) was in a prime position to get some decent points, perhaps even a podium, but it was not to be," Mallya rued.

"But the Abu Dhabi aero configuration is roughly similar to Brazil and Valencia, and even though we cannot expect rain, we can expect a reasonable level of performance in qualifying that should put us in a good position for the race," he said.

"We could technically move up a position in the championship as we're just 13 points behind Renault, but it will be tough so we need to consolidate what we have already.

"Toro Rosso have been looking very strong in recent races so it's a matter of personal pride to keep them behind. Ninth place in the championship is one position higher than last year and we need that improvement to validate all the progress we've made this year," he added.

Looking back, Mallya said the second half of the season began on a promising note but the team could not make the most of it.

"I would say this year has even exceeded our expectations as we have secured a podium, pole and fastest lap. We can be really proud of this. All the same we have had opportunities we haven't been able to make the most of, for example Interlagos, Suzuka and Monza.

"This slightly mutes the satisfaction, but it does give a lot of cause for optimism - if we can get into a similar position next year and follow through all the chances we could be solid midfield in both championships," added Mallya, also the team principal.

Sutil was equally upset, having failed to score points in Brazil despite starting third on the grid.

"I was hoping a lot for that, so it's disappointing. We have to take that and carry it to the next race. Whether we can repeat in Abu Dhabi we will have to see, but it's a relatively low downforce track and we have performed well in these conditions before so I am optimistic," he said.

Teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi, who was promoted to the race seat after Giancarlo Fisichella switched to Ferrari, said he was looking to score his maiden points for the side on Sunday.

"I'll keep pushing until the end and am still optimistic of scoring my first points for Force India in Abu Dhabi," added the Italian.

Force India hope to do well in Brazil

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Force India chairman Vijay Mallya said the resurgent outfit would be giving it everything in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Mallya did not hide his disappointment at the team's failure to get into points in the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, where the track suited them. With Interlagos too being a low-to-medium downforce track, Mallya hopes to add to its World Championship points' total.

"We will be giving it everything we have," Mallya, also the team principal, said.

"Brazil should suit us, our car has performed well on tracks with a similar configuration, and now we've got the taste for points, we want to get some more. BMW are 11 points ahead of us in the constructors' championship so if Tonio and Adrian push hard we could at least close that gap.

"It's going to be difficult but we have everything to gain and nothing to lose by making this our aim," he added.

"We had high hopes for the Japanese Grand Prix. To a certain extent we got there as we qualified well, ran towards the front of the field and raced with larger teams. However, of course we missed out on points again so ultimately it was frustrating we could not capitalise on this," Mallya said.

"Based on this form I am however very optimistic we can make up ground in Brazil. Adrian and Tonio both know the track and the car is at its peak so I'm confident we should again be Q2 or higher and again racing for the points," Mallya said.

Sutil too described his Japan outing as a "missed opportunity" but sounded confident of Sunday's race.

"Interlagos is a great track, not that long, but with a lot of camber and undulation that makes it a bit like a rollercoaster - particularly with the bumps. There's a twisty section and then that long, uphill straight that needs a set-up somewhere between Spain and Belgium so there's a chance we could perform well there. I'm feeling confident about going well there," he said.

Liuzzi too shared his enthusiasm and said, "I like the circuit and I've been pretty fast there in the past so with the combination of this confidence and the car performance I think we could be really competitive. I'm looking forward to being in a strong position."

Liuzzi takes Fisichella spot

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Force India have confirmed Vitantonio Liuzzi has replaced Giancarlo Fisichella for the remainder of the season.

Liuzzi has been promoted from his role as test and reserve driver with the team, a position he has held since the start of 2008.

The 28-year-old will now make his race debut with Force India in front of his own fans at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Liuzzi, who last drove in Formula One at the end of the 2007 season with Toro Rosso, appreciates he has been given his chance courtesy of the chain reaction sparked by Felipe Massa's accident

"I can't wait to get back into the car in race trim, particularly at my home grand prix in Monza," said Liuzzi, who competed in 39 grands prix over three seasons from 2005 to 2007.

"I really appreciate the opportunity Vijay (Mallya) has given me, particularly now Force India has a great car that's performing very well.

"I am confident I can carry on our progress. I'm very motivated, in good shape and hungry to get some more points on the board.

"Although it's unfortunate this came about as a direct result of Felipe's accident, this is my opportunity to show people what I can do, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Team owner Vijay Mallya, who released Fisichella to Ferrari last week, is confident Liuzzi will not let down the team.

"I'm delighted to give Tonio the opportunity to get back into a race seat, which I know he has been itching to do for the past two years," said Mallya.

"Force India is now in a very competitive position and we need a driver who can continue this momentum.

"This will be the chance for Tonio to demonstrate to both the team and the field he has the commitment, speed and professionalism to perform, and I am sure he will seize this opportunity."

Fisichella 'over the moon' with move

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Giancarlo Fisichella realised a life-long dream by signing for Ferrari.

Fisichella has signed for Ferrari for the final five races of the Formula One season after being released from his current contract with Force India, and will be the team's reserve driver in 2010.

The 36-year-old replaces Luca Badoer after his torrid time in the European and Belgian Grands Prix in which he qualified at the back of the grid and was last of those that finished.

With Ferrari this week confirming Felipe Massa requires plastic surgery after his horror smash in Hungary and will not return until next season, the team desperately needed a more experienced driver as stand-in for the remainder of the year.

Following extensive discussions between the two teams over the last 24 hours, Force India owner Vijay Mallya reluctantly agreed to part with Fisichella.

It means the 36-year-old will become the first Italian to drive a Ferrari at the team's home race at Monza - the next round of the season on September 13 - since Ivan Capelli in 1992.

"I'm over the moon," said Fisichella. "I can still hardly believe the fact we are realising the dream of my life, and I want to thank Ferrari and its president, Luca di Montezemolo.

"I am also very grateful to Vijay for allowing me this opportunity to drive for Ferrari.

"It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous.

"I hope in turn I have helped Force India grow and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions.

"They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best."

It has been a remarkable week for the Roman in which he started from pole and finished second in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Now being able to look ahead to the final five races with Ferrari, Fisichella added: "I'll do my best to reward the team for the great opportunity I have been given.

"I know it will not be easy, but I will always try and get the best result possible."

Expressing his sympathies towards Badoer, who has spent the last 12 years with Ferrari, Fisichella said: "I want to say I feel sorry for Luca.

"I know how much he cared about racing a Ferrari at Monza because an Italian will always give his maximum to drive a red in front of our fans."

Explaining his decision to release Fisichella, Mallya said: "For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream, and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this."

Mallya dismissed speculation a deal for Fisichella had been agreed with Ferrari in return for money apparently still owed for engines used last season.

"We would like to stress we have not agreed any financial settlement with Ferrari," added Mallya.

"This agreement has been made in good faith and for the good of Giancarlo and the sport in general.

"A competitive Italian driver in a Ferrari for Monza is a positive story for Formula One, which can only help raise the sport's profile in these difficult times."

Mallya is convinced his team will continue to be strong for the remainder of the season, with reserve driver Vitantonio Liuzzi expected to replace Fisichella.

Mallya stated: "For Force India, this sport is a team effort and removing one part, even a major one, will not significantly affect our performance.

"The competitiveness of the team seen in Belgium was a result of hard work in the factory and wind tunnel, and we have further developments coming for the final races.

"So we are confident this momentum can be sustained. We are now looking forward to a strong finish to the season."

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali is convinced Fisichella will play a significant role through to the end of the year.

"We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season," said Domenicali.

"Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career, that he is fast and competitive, and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race."

Mallya sad over breakaway series

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Force India chairman Vijay Mallya was saddened by the announcement of a breakaway series by the dissident Formula One teams.

However, he reiterated his team's commitment to the official FIA Formula One World Championship next year.

"We were always hoping there would be compromise between FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) and the FIA but last night I was notified by FOTA about their decision, which already seems to be heading towards a breakaway championship or series," Mallya said.

"We find this to be very sad and disappointing, particularly since the FIA World Championship and the Formula One brand has been developed into an invaluable property over many decades," he said.

"As of now, Force India is a confirmed entrant to the FIA 2010 Formula One World Championship and we wait to see the developments over the weekend. Until a clear direction has been identified, we do not wish to make any further comments," said Mallya, also the team principal.

Force India broke ranks and submitted an unconditional entry citing legal obligations and Mallya said he was disappointed after FOTA suspended the outfit despite being in the know of things.

Ferrari stay firm over budget cap

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Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali insists their decision to sign up conditionally for the 2010 Formula 1 season does not mean they will accept a budget cap.

Ferrari and the eight other members of Formula One Teams Association (Fota) have submitted a joint entry dependent on conditions being met by 12 June.

One condition is that they can operate under current technical regulations.

Domenicali said: "Making the 2009 regulations the starting point means there will be no budget cap."

Ferrari had threatened to quit F1 after 60 unbroken years of competition if the International Automobile Federation (FIA) did not change the rules for the 2010 season which included an optional £40m budget cap.

But Ferrari's decision to enter conditionally was seen as greatly reducing the likelihood of their departure from the sport.

However, if the conditions, put forward by Fota members Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Renault, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Brawn GP and Force India are not met, Domenicali pointed out the answer was simple.

"If the conditions are not met, the entries will be invalid," he said.

The FIA is due to publish the official entry list for the 2010 season on 12 June.

Williams were suspended from Fota after signing up for next season on their own last Monday.

Force India to use improved diffuser

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Encouraged by their double finish in Bahrain, Force India are to introduce an improved version of the interim diffuser.

Team chairman Vijay Mallya also said that some further aero upgrades will also be introduced in the Spanish Grand Prix next month.

After the much-debated diffuser used by Brawn, Williams and Toyota got the clearance from FIA, Force India too jumped on the bandwagon and got a prototype double diffuser onto the VJM02 cars for Bahrain Grand Prix.

The updates did make a difference as Giancarlo Fisichella finished 15th, followed by teammate Adrian Sutil after both had risen to top 10 at some stages.

"We have another update coming in Barcelona, more particularly an improved version of this interim diffuser, and some further aero upgrades," Mallya said.

He said with other teams constantly trying to raise the bar, upgrading was necessary.

"I'm not naive enough to believe that other teams aren't improving. I'm sure everybody is going hammer and tongs trying to find better performance. But we're there and we're racing, and it's so competitive.

"In the midfield everything is separated by hundredths now, and to be in the hunt is quite an impressive achievement," Mallya said.

The flamboyant liquor baron said Force India showed alacrity by introducing the diffuser in Bahrain and is committed to excel within its limitations.

"We've shown we can react quickly. I think we can walk down the paddock with our heads held high, without being apologetic for anything.

"We're a small team, we have limited resources and within what we have I think we have a highly motivated bunch of guys who are now committed, professional and all charged up. I think we're showing to the world that we can race, and race on a limited budget," Mallya said.

Sutil came tantalisingly close to winning Force India's maiden Formula One point in the rain-marred race in Shanghai but Mallya said it was great to see the car becoming competitive in the dry Bahrain race as well.

"I've never been someone who subscribes to the theory that something unusual must happen for us to be competitive," Mallya said.

"Late last year we made a lot of changes to the team in the structure and the management. That entire effort was not to be the minnows at the back, hoping for something unusual to happen.

"It was to really be racing competitively, albeit in midfield. I've always said that this year's goal would be racing midfield, and hopefully scoring points. I think we're doing just that," Mallya said.

Double finish on Force India agenda

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Force India won't mind if a point or two falls into its lap but a double finish will be the primary target in Chinese Grand Prix.

The Force India drivers clarified that finishing the race would be the primary. Adrian Sutil reckons the VJM02 car, powered by a Mercedes engine and a McLaren gearbox, will have its best chance when the Formula One caravan shifts to Europe next month.

As for now however, the German says he will be happy to bring his car home safely in China and see others making mistakes.

"The aim, as was for the previous races, is to be reliable and get to the finish. This year I've got a 100 percent finish record so far, and I want to keep this up," he said.

"We've seen that some of the other teams are having problems with KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) and the order is not so fixed at the moment. So if you get to the finish there's a good chance you could do well.

"I think this should be our goal for now -- but when we get back to Europe I want to be racing on merit, not just waiting for something to happen to another driver," he explained.

His senior driver Giancarlo Fisichella had more or less the same view, even though the Italian insisted on better qualification.

"The main goal this weekend is to have a clean event without any mistakes, qualify well and to finish the race," Fisichella said.

"I think it's too early to start hoping for points yet, but we need to keep the momentum going and get as much information as possible so when we introduce new parts we can really see an improvement," added the veteran driver.

Two races into the season and both the drivers are optimistic about the car's potentials.

"We are closer this year and in general the VJM02 is an improvement from last season's car," Sutil said.

"The balance and mechanical grip is good and it is very fast in a straight line, but at the moment we dont have enough downforce. We do have a much clearer direction though this year -- last year we were struggling everywhere, but this year it's just downforce. We need more grip in the corners. I know we have some developments in the pipeline so at this point in the season I am hopeful. The car has potential."

Fisichella shared Sutil's optimism and said: "We are definitely closer than we were last year. For sure qualifying is still a bit of a problem for us, but in Australia we were only a couple of tenths from the World Champion so we can't be too disappointed.

"In the race it's not looking too bad. The balance is good and I have had some nice fights with other cars. We need more downforce now, but we have a clear direction to improve and I think this is really positive," he added.

Double finish for Force India

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Force India came agonisingly close to scoring its maiden Formula One points before settling for a double finish.
This was Force India's best result since its 2008 debut. Adrian Sutil finished 10th and Giancarlo Fisichella 12th in the rolle-rcoaster Australian Grand Prix.

Running fourth when the first safety car was deployed, Fisichella looked set to score Force India' first F1 points in the season opener before a pit-stop blunder cooked his goose.

The Italian missed the stop mark and Force India crew had to manually push him back to the pit box and the precious time lost saw him rejoin the race in 14th position.

The veteran driver, however, did well to finish the race 12th.

"I'm very disappointed with the mistake I made in the pit stop. I was just confused with last year as we were always in the last slot in the pit lane, so I just overshot and had to be pulled back into the pits. I'm really sad about this as I think we could have got a good result," a dejected Fisichella later said.

Sutil, meanwhile, found himself tangled in the first lap, losing part of his front wing and limping into the pit.

Having dropped to the rear of the field, the German nevertheless drove a measured, consistent race to claim his best result in over a year.

"I had a good start but in the first corner I think (Mark) Webber slowed down and there was nowhere I could go. I damaged my front wing and had to get the car back to the pits. "After the first safety car everything was fine - we had a good strategy with a short stint on the soft tyres in the middle. On the restart I could get past a few cars and then on the hard tyre it went really well. I could finish in 10th position - I think we can be happy with this," said Sutil.

Chairman and team principal Vijay Mallya had little to complain after the double finish and he said it was a good show considering the car was designed and built in 120 days and with only eight days of testing.

He said it was incredible that Sutil finished 10th despite one additional unplanned stop to change a front wing and Fisichella 12th in spite of the pit stop gaffe.

"Without these incidents, Force India could have scored championship points today by finishing in the first eight," Mallya said.

"However, the most important achievement was that FIF1 achieved 100 percent reliability as both cars finished without any mechanical problems. The is also relevant considering that there are pending hearings on protests filed against other teams who are allegedly in violation of the FIA Technical rules and, therefore, enjoy an unfair advantage.

"All in all, a very respectable effort for the first race of the season," Mallya added.

Force India take wraps off F1 car

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Force India launched their 2009 car with its track debut at testing in Jerez, Spain, on Sunday.

Giancarlo Fisichella took the VJM02, which includes a Mercedes-Benz V8 engine and McLaren gearbox, through its paces at the Circuit de Jerez.

And team principal Vijay Mallya said they were looking to score their first world championship points in 2009.

He said: "I would like to see a strong start, rising to points mid-season and a definite improvement in qualifying."Force India failed to register a point in their debut season last year, and Mallya added: "Regular points finishes should be the aim."

And despite the global economic downturn, the team is apparently in solid financial shape.

"Force India is in a good enough position," said Mallya.

"It's a smaller team with a much smaller budget than the big boys and so it is probably relatively easier for us to manage under these circumstances."

This year will see the return of slick tyres and the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (Kers), giving the start of the season an air of unpredictability.

This year is maybe the biggest change for many years, with Kers, slick tires, downforce and new aero rules, so it's very exciting," said Fisichella.

"It would be good to see all the teams mixed up and to be able to fight for points. If the car is good, why not even for the podium?"

German Adrian Sutil will occupy the second driver's seat but Mallya is keen to one day employ an Indian driver.

"Much has been made of our decision not to employ an Indian driver, but it was my feeling that, although there is great talent out there, it is not right for Force India at the current time," he said.

"Of course at some point, from a patriotic point of view, I would love to see an Indian driver driving an Indian car and I have always said that with 1.2 billion people there must be a Lewis Hamilton in there somewhere!

"We will keep our eyes peeled and if, or when, the time is right, you'll see it happen."

"Force India can surprise"

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Giancarlo Fisichella feels that Force India could be the surprise package in this year's Formula One Championship.
Incidentally, former Red Bull driver David Coulthard, now an F1 pundit, had a similar hunch about the Silverstone-based outfit following its tie-up with McLaren-Mercedes late last year.

Fisichella believes the slew of sweeping changes has, to a large extent, evened out some of the glaring F1 inequalities and insists Coulthard didn't merely talk through his hat.

"Why not? I think this year is a good opportunity for us as a team," Fisichella told PTI on the eve of Force India's new challenger VJM02's official track debut at Jerez, Spain on Sunday.

"Everyone has had to redesign their cars, so if you had a good car last year you might not have a good one this year. We're all a lot more equal this year and with a good overall package I think we could be strong once we've had a few races," he said.

The late unveiling of VJM02, however, limits the outfit's testing opportunities and the lack of laps doesn't amuse the Italian. "It is a disadvantage as it's important to drive as much as you can before the start of the year to get a feeling with the car and try and establish a good set-up," said the 36-year-old Roman.

"It's not easy in just four days, especially with the new rules coming in this year. We are just going to have to try and get as much as we can from these eight days before the season," he added.

A veteran of 200-plus F1 races, Fisichella reckons slick tyre, reduced role of aerodynamics and other changes would mix things up this season and negotiating corners would be the key for the drivers.

"F1 was very tight last year, with the whole field separated by just over a second, so it will be hard to be that close this year. But I do think that the field will be a lot more mixed -- we don't know who has got it right as the rules are so different and teams have all interpreted them differently.

"I think this year we will have to be very smooth. The cars will have less grip from the aero, but more grip from the tyres so you will have to be very smooth through the corners. If you get it wrong then you might go off more easily than last year," he explained.

Force India came close to scoring its maiden point a couple of times last year only to fall short of it. Asked how difficult it was to go through an entire season without points, Fisichella said it is now a thing of past for him. "I love Formula One so it's not hard to stay motivated as I love driving the cars and still want to do well. There are always challenges in motorsport, but you have to keep looking to the next opportunity and not think too much about the past," he said.

Instead, Fisichella is rather keen to look at this year's Championship.

"I think this year is maybe the biggest change for many years, with KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), slick tyres, downforce and new aero rules, so it's very exciting. It would be good to see all the teams mixed up and to be able to fight for points," he said.

Force India retain Fisichella and Sutil for 2009

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Force India have confirmed an unchanged driver line-up for the 2009 season. Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil will continue as race drivers, with Vitantonio Liuzzi also retained as the team’s official test and reserve driver.

The announcement means Force India have complete continuity for their second season of Formula One competition and ends speculation that their recent tie-up with McLaren would prompt driver changes.

“I firmly believe that next year will be a huge opportunity for this team,” team boss Vijay Mallya told Force India's official website. “We have a new technical partnership with McLaren and Mercedes, a dynamic new management structure and now one of the most solid driver line-ups on the grid.

“We certainly welcomed the insight and advice of our new partners in this matter, however the choice was entirely ours based on the current talent available in the market today. In Giancarlo, Adrian and Tonio we have a wonderful balance between experience and ambition and now complete consistency.”

Fisichella, 35, returned to the Silverstone-based team for the 2008 season, having previously driven for them in their Jordan days, while Sutil, 25, made his F1 race debut with the team, then Spyker, in 2007.

Force India yet to choose drivers

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Force India boss Vijay Mallya says he has yet to finalise his driver line-up for the 2009 Formula One season.

He stated in October that Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and German Adrian Sutil would "continue through 2009".

But he told BBC Sport that his team's newly signed technical link-up with McLaren had changed things.

"We haven't finalised anything on the race seat," he said. "I will discuss this issue with McLaren and take this decision at an appropriate time."

Mallya has rubberstamped a deal to use the same engines, gearbox and hydraulics as McLaren-Mercedes.

Force India will also share their kinetic energy recovery system (Kers) - a system that converts energy generated under braking into power that can be used for acceleration and which is new to F1 for 2009.

Following the link-up, there has been speculation that one of McLaren's test drivers would be given a race seat at Force India.

Long-time McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa, who has raced for Arrows, Jaguar and McLaren in F1, tested the car in November and Englishmen Gary Paffett and Paul di Resta have also been linked with a drive.

Mallya would not be drawn on the subject but added: "One McLaren test driver has already tested our car. They bring the McLaren experience with them."

Mallya, a billionaire businessman who runs an airline and also has a franchise in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket tournament, said he expected his F1 team to progress from their back of the grid slot in 2009.

"I certainly hope to be in the upper midfield in 2009, given all that we are doing, and I'd be disappointed if we are not - so that is a major step forward to begin with," he said.

Mallya has also launched a driver search programme to try to find an Indian F1 driver.

He revealed: "I was joking with my friends and I said with a population of 1.2bn there must be a Lewis Hamilton somewhere.

"Clearly it is at least a five-year programme but we are launching it from 2009 and hopefully we will find the driver we are looking for."

Mallya sparks Force India changes

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Force India owner Vijay Mallya is to replace Colin Kolles as team principal in a major shake-up for next season.

Chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne, former technical director at Jordan, Renault and Toyota, has also left.

The team announced it will use Mercedes engines, which power world champion Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, in 2009 after ending its deal with Ferrari.

"These new resources and developments will provide an enormous boost to our technical armoury," Mallya said.

The deal with Force India marks a shift for Mercedes, who since 1995 have worked exclusively with McLaren.

In another step forward, McLaren Applied Technologies, a company owned solely by McLaren, will also supply Force India with gearboxes and hydraulic systems.

Both McLaren and Mercedes will share their kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) - which will convert energy generated under braking into power that can be used for acceleration - with Mallya's marque.

"McLaren and Mercedes-Benz are two of the most famous names in motorsport history, having achieved great success in Grand Prix racing over many years," added Mallya.

"We said at the outset that we meant business and were not interested in merely making up the numbers.

"The announcement of our new technical partnership clearly underlines that we meant what we said."

Indian billionaire Mallya bought the Spyker team along with Dutch businessman Michiel Mol in 2007 and the outfit raced under its new moniker for 2008.

However, Force India failed to win a single point in their first season with Giancarlo Fisichella's 10th place at the Spanish Grand Prix their best result.

Team-mate Adrian Sutil was running in a brilliant fourth place in Monaco before Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen slammed into the back of him in the closing laps, forcing him to retire.

Now Mallya, who has stuck with Fisichella and Sutil for 2009, has initiated a major management restructure as he seeks success on the track.

"Force India is my most difficult project and requires more direct input from my side and greater performance accountability," Mallya said.

"We have come a long way this season but we need more and that requires a radical reorganisation.

"I would like to thank Colin Kolles for his tireless efforts in keeping such a small team alive and to Mike Gascoyne for bringing his wealth of technical experience."

Force India keep drivers for 2009

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Force India will retain the line-up of Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and Germany's Adrian Sutil next season.

With two races to go before the end of the Formula One season, the pair have yet to contribute a point but will get another opportunity next term.

"I'm happy with Adrian and Giancarlo and they will continue through 2009," said Force India owner Vijay Mallya.

Fisichella's best finish so far this season was 10th at the Spanish Grand Prix and Sutil's 13th in Belgium.

"I am really disappointed with this season and I think it is just time to finish this season and hopefully we will do a better one next one," said the highly-rated Sutil, 25.

"With Giancarlo I had a good team-mate. He was pushing me all the time and I really saw myself progressing and growing, so right now I am feeling very, very good."

Fisichella, 35, joined the Ferrari-powered team from Renault at the end of last season. He has won three races in 12 years in F1.

Mallya said he had been talking to Mercedes about the possibility of replacing Ferrari because he wants an engine, gearbox and Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) in one package from his supplier for next year.

"That's our requirement and we can't do without any one component," he said.

"So negotiations continue and I'm hoping that we will be able to finalise something sooner rather than later because we need to finish this season, get on with testing and be prepared for a significantly improved performance by the team in 2009."

Force India

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The former Jordan team has gone through its fourth name change in as many years and is now Force India after a takeover by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya.

The ambition is to be podium contenders in time for the planned first Indian Grand Prix in 2010.

There have been encouraging signs in 2008, particularly a brilliant drive by Adrian Sutil in Monaco.

But there is a lot of work still to do, even if this year's car suggests they are going in the right direction.

Nationality: India/UK
Drivers:
Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita)
Adrian Sutil (Ger)
Engine: Ferrari V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team principal: Colin Kolles
F1 history: 2006-
2007 position: 10th
Drivers' titles: 0
Constructors' titles: 0