Di Resta backs investment

Force India driver Paul di Resta has backed the new investment in the team as a solid indication of their resurgence in Formula One. 

Team principal Vijay Mallya has confirmed he has sold a 42.5% stake in his team to the Sahara conglomerate for £63.5million.

Sahara, whose sporting portfolio includes sponsorship of the Indian cricket team and ownership of Indian Premier League side Pune Warriors, are run by another entrepreneur in Subrata Roy.

Mallya will continue in his present position, with Roy becoming chairman of Force India, and the team taking the Sahara brand as title sponsor.
Mallya is convinced Roy's investment will take the team "to greater success in the Formula One world championship".

Investment

Commenting on the investment ahead of this weekend' Korean Grand Prix, Di Resta said: "I'd heard there were talks ongoing.

"What has now happened is a great thing for Force India, to have that investment coming in. As Vijay recently said, his team is becoming what he wants it to be now. I'm sure it will continue on an upward slope."

The only problem for Di Resta with two owners on board is to whom will have the final say when it comes to next year's driver line-up.

Neither Di Resta nor Adrian Sutil have been confirmed for 2012, and the duo have reserve Nico Hulkenberg waiting in the wings following a number of strong practice performances this season.

Although Mallya is team principal, Roy may yet demand a say on the situation, complicating matters for Anthony Hamilton, Di Resta's manager, when it comes down to talks.

Structure

"At this point I don't know how the structure will work within the team," added Di Resta.

"I understand Vijay will remain team principal, and he's the one who has guided this team to what it is, so you have to give him credit for that, and hopefully it will continue that way.

"I'm sure in the background things will change, but that's not a decision we're going to get brought into."

Although Hamilton is not due for talks until after Sunday's race, as far as Di Resta is aware, the team are still going to wait until early in December before confirming their 2012 drivers.

The 25-year-old added: "The team have said they're going to do it in December. Whenever they that want to do it, they will do it."

Source:sky.com