F1 2018: 5 Potential Buyers of Sahara Force India F1 team

Force India Mercedes has been one of the best mid-field teams in Formula 1 and consistently been best of the rest since the last 3 seasons in spite of constant lack of sponsorships. Recently, just before the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Force India team went into administration after a hearing at the High Court in London.

Two of the major stakeholders of the team are Indians, Vijay Mallya of Kingfisher group and Subrata Roy of Sahara India, and are caught in legal battles in their home country since some time.

Vijay Mallya has been staying in the United Kingdom, even though there are arrest warrants against him in India and Subrata Roy has often been visiting jail for the last 4 years. There were numerous rumours of Force India pulling out of F1 or getting bought by someone else since last year but reports suggest Force India is going to take a decision very soon. Here are the 5 potential buyers that can take over from next year-

---

#5 BWT

BWT is the major sponsor of Force India Formula 1 team.

Best Water Technology Group (BWT) is Europe‘s leading water technology company, and is also the major sponsor of Force India, and is the reason behind the pink livery. In fact, the move to take Force India into administration was initiated by Sergio Perez and BWT, the latter claiming that their sponsorship amounts were actually loans.

This way, if they can somehow get the best lawyers, it would make sense that they would take charge of the whole team. It was BWT who brought pink to Formula 1 for the first time 2 years back, and that pink F1 car may soon become part of a BWT Racing team if everything goes their way.

#4 Liberty Media's owner John Malone

John Malone, chairman of the Liberty Group, which currently owns F1.

John Malone, the de facto owner of Formula 1, and the chairman of Liberty Group has made a lot of changes since his predecessor has left the top position in the sport. Having such deep pockets, and running the sport, he can definitely come and rescue the ailing team, as he did with the sport.

Being a billionaire, and knowing the business so well (running the business actually), it makes sense for him to run his own team in F1. The sport, which has been historically run for and by the Europeans, has been trying very hard to get into the American market since the ownership change, and having 2 American teams (along with Haas F1 team), will only be better for the future, now that the Miami Grand Prix is not taking place before 2020.

#3 Mercedes boss Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff revealed that Mercedes, as Force India’s engine supplier, will be keeping a close eye on proceedings of buying Force India.

Mercedes is a long time Engine supplier for Force India, and they were, along with Sergio Perez, the major players who have a lot of money owed by the Force India team. According to Vijay Mallya, Mercedes did get a fat paycheck recently, but with Toto Wolff being such an important part of the sport, he can very well buy a major stake in Force India, along with having a 30% share in Mercedes F1 team.

Toto Wolff had earlier in his life, also bought a major share in Williams F1 team, and it would not come as a surprise if he buys this team too. Force India can very well serve Mercedes the same way as Toro Rosso does to Red Bull Racing team, where the junior young talented Mercedes drivers will get an opportunity in F1 before fighting for the championships.

#2 McLaren and Micheal Andretti

McLaren partnered Andretti Autosport in 2017 to take part in Indy 500 last year and seem destined to go again next year.

McLaren F1, one of the most decorated teams in F1, has been going on a downward spiral for almost 5 years. Fernando Alonso has looked for options other than F1 to show his talent and has been open about his dream of achieving the Triple Crown of Motorsport (https://www.sportskeeda.com/motorsports/alonso-edges-closer-to-triple-crown-with-le-mans-glory) and has previously raced for Andretti Autosport in Indy 500.

Michael Andretti, the owner of Andretti Autosport, has been linked to buying a team in F1 for some time and with such a great reputation and a good relation with McLaren, he may well target the Force India team. McLaren, having a lot of talented young drivers, can also look for a sister team for improvements and data in their team. If Fernando leaves F1 next year, McLaren will have huge money to invest in a team, if not a driver.

#1 Lawrence Stroll

Does this mean Lance Stroll is going to a new team next year?

If certain reports are to be believed, Lawrence Stroll, Canadian investor and father of Lance Stroll, has already bought the Force India Team.

Many believe that Lance Stroll bought his seat at Williams F1 team because of his father in 2017. Buying a team like Force India which has consistently done better than they were expected to do, would only be good for the businessman.

Previously Lawrence had bought the Prema F3 team, paid for a high-tech simulator at Williams F1 and also hired well-known Ferrari engineer Luca Baldisserri to oversee his son's rise in his youth. So buying Force India team will offer a new home for Lance Stroll as Lawrence wouldn't have to pay some other team for Lance's seat in F1.