Nov.1 (GMM) Contrary to Vijay Mallya’s recent promise, the announcement of Force India’s new technical alliance with McLaren-Mercedes will no longer take place in Brazil
The team’s Indian co-owner said last week its partner for 2009 would be unveiled “in Brazil, or before Brazil”, amid reports all the details of the McLaren deal have been agreed
The final hurdle, however, is the Silverstone based squad’s existing contractual arrangement with Ferrari, its current engine supplier
Force India wants to switch suppliers because McLaren is ready to offer a complete engine, KERS and transmission package
Mallya revealed last week that he is willing to “reimburse” Ferrari for pulling out of the 2009 contract, but Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport claims this has not yet been agreed
For that reason, the Force India-McLaren linkup will not be announced this weekend, with McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh confirming that a deal cannot be signed off “as long as Ferrari do not consent”
