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| cuddlyewok |
A New Team to Formula 1For the first time, a team from India joins F1 racing - FORCE INDIAVijay Mallya admitted it was a “hugely proud moment” to be officially launching India’s first entry into Formula 1. Force India F1 unveiled its first car, the VJM01, and livery for the 2008 season at a glitzy launch event in Mumbai on Thursday, with its first challenger's colours being gold, tungsten and white with a red stripe. The new team’s owner Mallya, who took over the Silverstone-based squad from former owners Spyker last October, confirmed his squad was lodged as an Indian entry, making it the first F1 team to come from that country. "This is truly historic for two reasons," he said during the launch. "One, this is the first time in history that an Indian ASM (motorsport authority) of the FIA has issued an entrance license for a Formula 1 team. S "So we go in to the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship as an Indian entry. "The second is the unveiling of the world championship 2008 car in front of you here in Mumbai in front of the historic Gateway of India. "This is a passionate, emotional and hugely proud moment for me personally." Mallya has been involved in F1 for several years during his brand Kingfisher Airline’s sponsorship of Toyota. However he said bringing an Indian team into F1 had always been his dream and says it is symbolic of his country’s upwardly-mobile status. 
"Over 30 years ago when I started my own motorsport career in a small Fiat...to 1978 when I imported my own first Formula 1 car, the Ensign MN08, I've always dreamt of an Indian team on the elite Formula 1 grid," he said. "I think we should not underestimate what it means to actually have a team that competes in the FIA World Championship. "There are only 11 competing for the world championship and it is a matter of great honour and pride to be one of them. "I'd like to say that this is the new platform for the face of new India. "Five years ago if anybody had questioned whether there would be an Indian inspired Formula 1 team on the world championship grid the answer would probably be; No way. "No way because Formula 1 is indeed very expensive, the budget for Force India Formula 1 for only the year 2008 is in excess of US$120m. "India as we knew her was not ready for this sort of commitment to sport. Today I'm proud that the world championship car is being unveiled here in India in our very own city of Mumbai in front of the historic monument – the Gateway of India. "This gateway is not ust historical as we know it but I think it is a gateway to a new India and the face of modern India." The VJM01will make its track debut at the next Barcelona test from February 25-27. Taken from the ITV F1 site. There is also more information on Force India, as well as the other teams. |
| Wolverine |
Re: A New Team to Formula 1Ok that is great is Giancarlo Fisichella driving for them |