Force India formally initiates name change

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Force India has incorporated several new companies in the UK which appear to validate the Silverstone-based team's name change to 'Force One'.

Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya has initiated the change in a bid to provide a more generic and global image to the team, distancing the outfit from its Indian roots to facilitate its quest for international sponsorship.

"Force India was born out of Vijay owning the team,” said COO Otmar Szafnauer.

"His hoped that some India companies would sponsor us. As it turned out, there were a couple, but not very many.

"He also hoped that India would have a Grand Prix, which happened. With the Grand Prix and a couple of our sponsors, it made sense to have Force India’s name.

"Since then we’ve lost the Grand Prix there, the Indian sponsors no longer were interested in sponsoring us. Now we have no Indian sponsors whatsoever, apart from Vijay’s Kingfisher.

"So it kind of makes sense to change it from India in order to attract sponsors more globally, and not restrict ourselves to being Force India."

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On May 31st, a series of limited companies were registered under the name Force One Grand Prix, Force One Racing, Force One Team, Force One Technologies, Force One Hospitality, and Force One Brand.

The incorporations were likely done in order to protect the 'Force One' name while procedures take place to officially change the name of the company which holds the commercial rights to the Force India team.

The formal name change process , which includes changing the name of its chassis, must go through the F1 Commission, with an approbation from other team also necessary.

"For a name a chassis change we need approval from some of the rest. I don’t think it’s all, but it’s got to go through the F1 Commission.

"If the FIA and commercial rights holder and some of the teams say ‘yes,’ then we can have a name change.

"I think there’s a spirit of co-operation in that regard. We voted for Brawn to go to Mercedes, and I would hope they would reciprocate."

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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.