Force India Formula One Team Limited, also
known as Force India and later Sahara Force India, had its roots firmly planted
in the competitive world of Formula One racing. Based in Silverstone, United
Kingdom, the team operated under an Indian license and emerged onto the scene
in October 2007 through the acquisition of the Spyker F1 team by a consortium
led by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya and Dutch businessman Michiel Mol, in a deal
amounting to €88 million.
The early years of Force India were marked by
challenges, with the team enduring 29 races without scoring any points.
However, a breakthrough moment arrived in the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix when
Giancarlo Fisichella secured the team's first Formula One world championship
points and a podium finish by claiming second place. The momentum continued in
the subsequent race, as Adrian Sutil finished fourth, marking another
significant milestone for the team. Notably, the Italian Grand Prix witnessed
Force India's inaugural fastest lap.
Throughout its existence, Force India's
podium finishes were punctuated by five third-place achievements. Sergio Pérez
played a pivotal role in securing these podiums, with notable performances in
the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix, 2015 Russian Grand Prix, 2016 Monaco Grand Prix,
2016 European Grand Prix, and the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In October 2011, Indian conglomerate Sahara
India Pariwar stepped into the scene, acquiring a substantial 42.5% stake in
Force India F1 for a sum of US$100 million. This move further solidified the
team's financial structure and showcased the growing international
collaborations in Formula One.
However, the team faced a critical juncture
in 2018 when Vijay Mallya, facing accusations of fraud and loan defaulting,
encountered financial constraints that jeopardized the team's future. The
situation led to Force India's entry into administration in July 2018, as
declared by the High Court in London. This marked a pivotal moment in the
team's history.
A consortium of investors, led by Lawrence
Stroll, the father of then-Williams driver Lance Stroll, seized the opportunity
and purchased the assets of Force India. The consortium, named Racing Point UK,
utilized these assets to establish a new entry into the Formula One landscape,
named Racing Point Force India.
The transition from Force India to Racing Point was formalized ahead of the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, marking the end of the constructor that had been founded in 2008. The new team, under the moniker "Racing Point," signaled a new chapter in the journey of the Silverstone-based outfit, with Lawrence Stroll at the helm, steering the team towards continued competitiveness and success in the ever-evolving world of Formula One.