VIJAY MALLYA’S FORCE INDIA TO LAUNCH 2017 F1

Force India will be one among the first teams to display their 2017 Formula One (F1) car at their launch at their Silverstone home base on February 22. The team launched their 2016 car last February in Barcelona before Vijay Mallya was issued a non-bailable arrest warrant, and his Indian passport was cancelled.

Vijay Mallya, the team principal and owner of the Mercedes-powered team, was promoting Formula One in India, his home country. Indian authorities were probing him to retrieve the lost $1.4 billion from his flopped Kingfisher Airlines. So, last March, he flew to Britain, where he has indefinite residency.

Their German driver Nico Hulkenberg has been replaced with the 20-year-old Frenchman Esteban Ocon who has signed a “multi-year” deal with them. He will line up alongside Mexican Sergio Perez. "It's a pleasure to welcome Esteban as our new race driver. He's an exceptional talent, as his status as a Mercedes Junior demonstrates, and I have no doubt he will flourish inside our team” stated Mallya.

On Feb 23, the World Champions Mercedes will roll out their new car at Silverstone. It will be followed by Ferrari on February 24 in Italy.

Content Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/mallyas-force-india-to-launch-f1-car-at-silverstone/articleshow/56368365.cms

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