Brabham F1 return linked to Force India buyout?

©WRI2

A US-led consortium looking to revive the Brabham name could be interested in buying Force India, claims F1 reporter Joe Saward.

The project is apparently centered around plans for development and production of a Brabham supercar, with a resurgence of the famous name in Formula 1 through the purchase of an existing team to promote the Brabham brand.

David Brabham, the son of F1 legend and three-time world champion Jack Brabham, has apparently been hard at work in the last couple of years securing the necessary Brabham trademarks for what he calls Project Brabham.

"Brabham is a brand with more than 69 years of racing heritage and it is our intention to see the name back on track," he said.

"Since Project Brabham was launched, we have received a lot of enquiries from different parties who have expressed an interest in licensing the name and we are evaluating a number of options.

"We have no further comment."

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Leaders of the supercar project are allegedly interested in acquiring Force India, with owners of the Silverstone-based outfit rumored to be open to a sale.

Both Vijay Mallya and associate Subrata Roy are facing legal and financial troubles in India, their home country.

As their issues come to a head, the prospect of parting with their investment in Force India has also come to the fore although they are unlikely to sell their holdings at a depressed price, at least for now.

Force India enjoyed a very good season in 2016, finishing fourth in the Constructors' standings, but emerging as the most cost-efficient team on the grid.

Both Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon have scored points in all four of this year's races.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.