Mar.3 (GMM) The global financial crisis has cost Force India multiple sponsor deals, team owner and boss Vijay Mallya has revealed
“We had several commitments for sponsorship for 2009, some of which will not come through because of the recession
“Others seem to be on track, people have confirmed to me that they still want to go ahead,” the 53-year-old billionaire said at the Jerez test on Monday, according to the Economic Times in India
Mallya, prominent in the Indian press recently due to the recession’s impact on his companies, sponsors the team with his beer and airline Kingfisher
A new sponsor for the 2009 season, the Scottish whiskey brand Whyte and Mackay, is owned by Mallya’s Bangalore based United Breweries Group
“There is no point in anybody denying the fact that there has been a great economic meltdown and Formula One is bound to be affected,” Mallya admitted
He said he is beginning to see other Indian companies interested in sponsoring Force India
“Indian companies are coming forward slowly, there isn’t a line outside my door, but they are coming on board,” he explained
“I have had commitments from a much larger number than I believe will actually show up on the car finally, but in these economic circumstances that is only to be expected.”n
