Aston Martin deal won’t happen in ’16 - Force India

Force India CEO Otmar Szafnauer says the team will not be called Aston Martin in 2016 but adds that negotiations for a future agreement are “still ongoing.”

The British marque was briefly linked to Red Bull last summer before holding talks with the Silverstone-based outfit and Johnnie Walker. Discussed was a deal that would have seen a rebranding of the team and fresh sponsorship from the whiskey company.

Despite the enthusiasm around the plan, deputy team principal Bob Fernley already told F1i in Mexico that such agreement was “a little way off”, with Aston Martin then announcing in December that it was postponing its decision until January.

“It was flattering to have the serious discussions with Aston Martin and it [would be] a big decision for them to enter the sport and to partner with Force India,” Szafnauer told Sky Sports F1 at the Autosport show on Thurday.

“The talks are still ongoing, I can't foresee it for 2016 but you don't know what the future holds, so the door isn't shut on that but for 2016 we'll remain Force India.”

• Force India winter diary part one - The boss

2015 turned out to be a game of two halves for Force India, which started last campaign on the back foot following the late launch of its VJM08 but emerged as a genuine podium contender after its B-spec version came into play.

Force India eventually capped its strong recovery by securing its best ever result in the Constructors’ championship with fifth. Echoing Nico Hulkenberg’s recent comments, Szafnauer hopes the team can extend the momentum into the new season.

“If all goes well, we should start where we left off in 2015. We finished the season in a strong position and our aim over the winter is to maintain our competitiveness at that level.

“The regulations haven't changed drastically, a little bit here and there, so we're maintaining the same development path that we've been on and hopefully we've done a bit better job with the budgets over the winter so there won't be a B-spec in the middle of the year and we can come out fighting at the first race.”

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