The Force India Formula One Team, later known as Sahara Force India, was based at Silverstone in the UK and competed under an Indian licence.
Notable Team Members and Drivers
Vijay Mallya: As the team principal and one of the key figures behind the Force India Formula One Team, Mallya established the team until financial difficulties led to its sale in 2018.
Adrian Sutil: One of Force India’s first drivers, Sutil was instrumental in the team’s competitive efforts during its early years in F1.
Sergio Pérez: Known for achieving multiple podium finishes for the team, his driving shocased the car’s competitive edge against stronger and better-financed teams.
The team was created from the remnants of the Jordan Grand Prix team, which made its debut in 1991 and enjoyed competitive success through the 1990s, including a memorable third place in the Constructors’ Championship in 1999. Financial difficulties led to the team being sold several times, transitioning from Jordan to Midland F1 Racing, then to Spyker F1. Then, in 2007, Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, in partnership with Michiel Mol, acquired Spyker F1 for €88 million, rebranding it as Force India for the 2008 season. Mallya’s vision was to represent India at the top of motorsport, with the team making its debut at the 2008 Australian Grand Prix.
After a challenging streak of 29 races without earning any points, Force India broke through at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix, where Giancarlo Fisichella secured the team’s first Formula 1 World Championship points and podium by finishing second. The momentum continued into the next race, with Adrian Sutil finishing fourth at the Italian Grand Prix, where he also recorded the team’s first fastest lap.
Sergio Pérez, who had already had stints at Sauber and McLaren, moved to Force India and is remembered for securing the most podium finishes for the team, often in unexpected circumstances. His first podium with the team came at the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix, and he would go on to achieve several more. Perez contributed significantly to the team’s standing in the Constructors’ Championships, claiming five third-place finishes at the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix, the 2015 Russian Grand Prix, the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix and European Grand Prix, and the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In a significant financial move, Sahara India Pariwar acquired a 42.5% stake in Force India F1 for $100 million in October 2011, injecting substantial investment into the team’s operations.
Force India F1 Legacy
Despite its on-track successes, Force India faced financial difficulties. In 2018, amidst allegations of financial misconduct and failing to repay loans, Vijay Mallya found himself unable to sustain operating Force India. Consequently, in the lead-up to the 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix in July, the team disclosed that it had entered into administration following a ruling by the High Court in London. Lawrence Stroll, a Canadian businessman, led a consortium that acquired the team’s assets, paving the way for its rebirth as Racing Point Force India in the latter part of the 2018 season. This transition marked the end of Force India as an entity, with the team being rebranded as Racing Point in 2019 and eventually becoming the Aston Martin F1 Team in 2021.
Force India Formula One World Championship Records
| First entry | 2008 Australian Grand Prix |
|---|---|
| Races entered | 203 |
| Constructors’ Championships | 0 (best finish: 4th, 2016 and 2017) |
| Drivers’ Championships | 0 |
| Race victories | 0 (best finish: 2nd, 2009 Belgian Grand Prix) |
| Podiums | 6 |
| Points | 987 |
| Pole positions | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 5 |
| Final entry | 2018 Hungarian Grand Prix |
Force India Championship Results
| Year | Name | Car | Drivers | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Force India Formula One Team | VJM01 | Adrian Sutil Giancarlo Fisichella | 0 | 10th |
| 2009 | Force India Formula One Team | VJM02 | Adrian Sutil Giancarlo Fisichella Vitantonio Liuzzi | 13 | 9th |
| 2010 | Force India Formula One Team | VJM03 | Adrian Sutil Vitantonio Liuzzi | 68 | 7th |
| 2011 | Force India Formula One Team (1–15) Sahara Force India Formula One Team (16–19) | VJM04 | Adrian Sutil Paul di Resta | 69 | 6th |
| 2012 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | VJM05 | Paul di Resta Nico Hülkenberg | 109 | 7th |
| 2013 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | VJM06 | Paul di Resta Adrian Sutil | 77 | 6th |
| 2014 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | VJM07 | Sergio Pérez Nico Hülkenberg | 155 | 6th |
| 2015 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | VJM08 VJM08B | Sergio Pérez Nico Hülkenberg | 136 | 5th |
| 2016 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | VJM09 | Sergio Pérez Nico Hülkenberg | 173 | 4th |
| 2017 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | VJM10 | Sergio Pérez Esteban Ocon | 187 | 4th |
| 2018 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | VJM11 | Sergio Pérez Esteban Ocon | 0* | Ex |
