Mallya’s troubles don’t affect Force India - Fernley

Boss and co-owner Vijay Mallya’s financial problems do not affect Force India, deputy team principal Bob Fernley insists.

This week, it emerged that lenders to Mallya’s failing airline Kingfisher are set to sell the billionaire’s collateral assets as they recall the loans.

And the very latest reports are that Force India’s title sponsor Subrata Roy, of the Indian giant Sahara, has had 100 of his and the conglomerate’s bank accounts frozen by the Securities and Exchange Board of India over failing to repay investors.

Referring on Thursday to team supremo Mallya’s troubles, Force India’s Bob Fernley said: "There is a disconnect between what happens in Vijay’s business and what Vijay is doing on the F1 team.

"Whether Kingfisher or United Spirits is doing well or not doesn’t affect the team, and it’s very difficult for us to get that message across, although we have been trying for several years," he is quoted by the Guardian newspaper.