A deal for Force India to be rebranded under the Aston Martin Racing brand looks unlikely to go ahead, at least not in 2016, with the company’s board members unconvinced by the proposal.
Earlier this year, Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya confirmed talks with the British sports car company were underway about renaming the team and rebranding Mercedes’ engines.
“We are in discussions, nothing has been finalised,” said Mallya. “We have many options and I will be able to confirm or otherwise when I have something to say. I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch.”
It looks increasingly likely those eggs won’t hatch, with Sky News reporting a source close to the deal confirmed Aston Martin’s board met to discuss the idea, but went away feeling it wasn’t the right time.
“There is a definite inclination not to do it – in 2016, at least,” they said.”But it could certainly be revisited in future.”
The British-based company is currently owned by Kuwaiti and Italian shareholders and has plans to rapidly expand, headed up by former Nissan executive Andy Palmer.