Mallya not planning on a quick sale of Force India

Force India owner Dr Vijay Mallya has insisted that his team is very unlikely to be sold in the near future. However, he admits that he would consider any credible takeover offers which put cash on the table.

Mallya recently gave up his position on the board of directors, but remains one of the team's largest shareholders and is still the team principal.

“People have been writing about the ownership of my team for years now,” Mallya told reporters at Silverstone on Friday.

“I’m proud that we finished our 200th Grand Prix in Austria. It’s a big milestone for me since I own this team. I am sure you will not see anybody in Force India, indeed myself, walk around with a for sale sign.

• Force India caps milestone 200th race with double-points finish

“As far as all these rumours are concerned, and all the statements that keep appearing in the media, all I can say is, if there is a credible offer with cash on the table, I will be the first one to discuss with my shareholders.

“I will see what they feel and, in the unlikely event we wish to sell the team, if there’s an offer that we cannot refuse, I will be the first one to announce it. Until then, speculation remains speculation.”

That recent speculation includes talk of a buy-out from US IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti.

Force India has finished the last two seasons in fourth place in the constructors championship. However this season they are currently in seventh place after nine of 21 races of the 2018 season.

"Well, we’ve not had the best start that we were hoping for," Mallya admitted. "We haven’t managed to get both cars into the points. We’ve had three of four first-lap incidents, all of which contribute to where you are in the constructors’.

"I have every confidence in my people across the road at the factory. They are used to punching above their weight, which is something that I truly appreciate.

"I remain cautiously optimistic that we will get fourth again in the Constructors’ Championship in 2018," he insisted. "We brought a small upgrade to the car here at Silverstone and FP1 has shown it. Whether I’m at the race, or at an FIA Press Conference or not, the guys are doing a great job."

Mallya admitted that the team's current situation did mean that it was hard to retain staff from being headhunted by better-resourced rivals.

"I have a fantastic team who love working for Force India," he said. "Yes, money is important and I guess people work to earn better but other teams have tried to tempt our people away in the past. They have not left us because there’s more to it than just a pay cheque.

"But if people wish to leave, I obviously have to take action to replace them with equally good talent," he conceded.

Mallya added that he hoped to retain the services of both of th eteam's current drivers for another season.

"The drivers are very happy in our environment. They have said that several times to the media when asked. We are very happy with both Checo and Esteban [Ocon]," he said.

"If, of course, they get a seat in a world championship-winning team it’s going to be a tough task to retain them, but if they are not offered any such opportunity, I see no reason why they should not stay with us.

"We give them the opportunity of being best of the rest. We have shown that for the last two years and hopefully we will show that this year as well."

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