F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Williams vetoes prize money advance to Force India

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley is working overtime to secure the team's full budget for 2018, but a request for an advance on income has been blocked by Williams.

With an estimated budget of approximately £97 million, Force India is one of the smallest teams on the grid, but also one of the most effective as its fourth place in the Constructors' standings secured in the past two years has demonstrated.

Rumors of the team's impending sale to an obscure British energy drinks company were wide of the mark, and Force India will remain in the hands of current owner Vijay Mallya for the foreseeable future.

The Silverstone-based outfit has yet to top-off its 2018 budget, according to Fernley.

"I will have to raise a lot of money in a short amount of time," he was quoted by Germany's Auto Bild.

To facilitate Force India's state of affairs in the short term, Fernley requested from Liberty Media an advance on the team's 2017 income, a fairly frequent demand each year on the part of F1's smaller outfits.

Unanimous agreement among the teams is required however, and one the Grovbased squad allegedly blocked Force India's request.

"For that we always need the approval of the other teams, and this time Williams has put in the veto," said Fernley.

"I have a plan that could work in the next two to three weeks," he added.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Bortoleto: Madring race so dull 'I almost fell asleep’

Madrid’s Madring was billed as a dazzling new destination for Formula 1, but for Audi’s…

28 minutes ago

F1i Driver Ratings for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari (P22/DNF) – 5/10 A total disaster of a weekend for the seven-time…

2 hours ago

Honda changes F1 project leader after disastrous 2026 start

Honda is shaking up the leadership of its Formula 1 power unit programme as the…

3 hours ago

When you're good enough, you're old enough!

On this day in 2008, Formula 1 saw a spring chicken named Sebastian Vettel become…

5 hours ago

Leclerc defends Ferrari call as Vasseur sees missed Madring win

Charles Leclerc left the Madring with no regrets about Ferrari's strategic gamble in the Spanish…

6 hours ago

Norris’ cola clash – tells F1 ‘I’m allowed to drink what I want’

Lando Norris lost out on a victory at the Madring thanks to a perfectly miserable…

8 hours ago