Force India-Mercedes next year?

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nitro_2005

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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71239

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren are in advanced talks with Force India about an engine supply and technical cooperation deal for next year, autosport.com has learned.

Although Force India have a customer engine contract with Ferrari for 2009, it is understood that they are reevaluating their engine situation because of the raft of regulation changes that are being made for next season.


Sources have revealed that discussions have opened with Mercedes-Benz and McLaren about a deal which could eventually expand beyond just a simple customer engine relationship.


As well as possible technical cooperation on the car itself, there are also suggestions that part of the deal could also include Force India running Briton Paul di Resta, who could be groomed for a future switch to McLaren.


A McLaren spokesman confirmed to autosport.com that talks with Force India were ongoing, but insisted that nothing had been agreed.


"McLaren and Mercedes-Benz are convinced that the independent teams are of vital importance for F1 - in fact they are the bedrock on which Grand Prix racing has been built," said the spokesman.


"Therefore, should we be in a position to cooperate with an independent team and should such a cooperation make economic sense, we would be prepared to do so. Nothing has been decided yet, but we are engaged in various discussions and will inform the media of their outcome as soon as we are able to do so.


"We are also in discussions with, and seeking the guidance of, FIA president Max Mosley in connection with the matter."


Force India team principal Colin Kolles would not comment on the state of the discussions with Mercedes-Benz and McLaren. When asked in Japan about his team's engine situation for 2009, he said: "All I can say is we will have an engine next year."
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AWESOME! FI and McLaren are my two favourite teams on the grid, so if the latter started to help the former out with techincal support and engines, I think I'm right in saying Vijay's team's future looks very bright :D
 
This does pose some interesting questions. Toro Rosso don't seem to be having any problems with their Ferrari engine re:Vettel. It seems to me that Force India just doesn't have enough cash to fund the thousands of hours of aero-package development and testing that the factory teams can. I was all ready for Sutil to take some points at Monaco, and while I didn't suspect Raikkonen of any foul play, it did seem that the reigning World Champ should be a little better of a driver than that!
 
I think Force India want to move up the grid now they have all this money via Mallya and they reckon that the best thing to do would be to talk to every engine supplier in the paddock and try to come to some sort of an agreement with one of them. If they're that far with McLaren about techincal cooperation and getting a supply of engines from them, which at the moment seem to be the quickest, although that might not be the case come next year, then it will be a boost mainly on the engineering and car side of things.

Right now, the McLaren is the most reliable car on the grid and is practically bullet proof, while Force India isn't really up there in terms of a car that won't break down. Getting technical help from what is currently the top team on the grid will certainly help them move up more. This would be the beginnings of a new era for the ex-Jordan team, and I think they should be looking forward to 2009 if this goes through.
 
I think the introduction of KERS next season could have a large impact on drivetrain reliability and performance. I am sure that the big (as in large budget) teams will all develop something, but with such a new system there are bound to be problems. Right now it seems that Ferrari has a very slight performance advantage and Mercedes is the most reliable but that could all change next year.
 
I wonder if the terms include getting rid of the orange/gold and white McLaren-esque paintjob.
 
nitro_2005
I think Force India want to move up the grid now they have all this money via Mallya and they reckon that the best thing to do would be to talk to every engine supplier in the paddock and try to come to some sort of an agreement with one of them. If they're that far with McLaren about techincal cooperation and getting a supply of engines from them, which at the moment seem to be the quickest, although that might not be the case come next year, then it will be a boost mainly on the engineering and car side of things.

Right now, the McLaren is the most reliable car on the grid and is practically bullet proof, while Force India isn't really up there in terms of a car that won't break down. Getting technical help from what is currently the top team on the grid will certainly help them move up more. This would be the beginnings of a new era for the ex-Jordan team, and I think they should be looking forward to 2009 if this goes through.
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Don't jinx them now, their nearly there for the win.
 
TMM
Interesting development, wonder why they feel that they need to leave Ferrari because of the regulation changes next year.
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"We are also in discussions with, and seeking the guidance of, FIA president Max Mosley in connection with the matter."

Maybe McLaren is offering a customer cars deal for a season before it's completely outlawed in '10. Something Ferrari isn't as willing to do perhaps.

Any oppertunity for Paul di Resta though gets my support. 👍
 
Right on. Fisichella might have a chance next year.
 

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