Pay-drivers 'wrong' for Force India - Mallya
Sep.5 (GMM) Vijay Mallya says he will continue to resist going down the 'pay driver' path for his own Formula One team.
As many teams struggle financially at present, the power wielded by so-called pay-drivers - drivers whose sponsorship dollars speak louder than their achievements - has intensified.
But although Adrian Sutil brings some backing to the team, Force India boss and co-owner Mallya insists he will always select drivers on the basis of their talent.
"It sends a very wrong signal to the team to take pay drivers -- I always consult my engineers and the technical director on the selection of drivers," he is quoted by AFP news agency.
Believed to be referring to the choice between German Sutil and the Ferrari-linked rookie Jules Bianchi, Mallya added: "This was particularly true for 2013 when we had a choice of two and finally we went with Adrian Sutil.
"That was largely because the key technical people in the team said 'let's go with him'.
"I did not want them to feel that all the efforts in producing a competitive car were going to be compromised on track because I had chosen a driver who wasn't the best available.
"I have not gone with pay drivers, I've gone with drivers of talent and that policy will stay," he insisted.
This weekend at Monza, a new reserve driver will get to work for Force India, running in Friday morning practice.
24-year-old James Calado, a frontrunner in the GP2 series, told British broadcaster Sky he hopes the new role leads him to the F1 grid.
"It's my only chance, probably, to show what I can do and hopefully be in line for a race seat in 2014," he said.
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Rolex 24, Hour 24: Porsche Penske take third consecutive victory
Risi Competizione ready for return to Rolex 24 after one-year hiatus
Le Mans winner James Calado signs new Ferrari WEC contract
McLaren trying to understand Ferrari's 'inspirational' upgrade volume
Otmar Szafnauer tells Ferrari to 'leave Charles Leclerc alone' amid Lewis Hamilton battle
Why Charles Leclerc’s battle of the brakes has left him trailing Lewis Hamilton
Kasey Kahne is as passionate and competitive as ever at Knoxville Nationals
Knoxville Nationals feature hasn't had a lead change in three years
Ty Gibbs wants to see what NASCAR would look like without digital mirrors
Daniel Dye secures four-race NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Jordan Anderson Racing
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Why it will “take years” for Cadillac to reach the level F1 rivals are operating at
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments