
A race car named Force India
The transition is officially complete. The Force India Formula One team went from “unmistakably Dutch” to evidently Indian on Thursday as it unveiled its 2008 championship car at the Gateway of India.
From the familiar Indian sponsor names featuring on its chassis to the name it bears after its new Indian co-owner - VJM01 - Dr Vijay Mallya unveiled the new tungsten, white and gold Formula One car in a spectacular laser and sound show attended by Bollywood personalities, team personnel, invitees, racing drivers and a host of local and international media.
“It’s a passionate, emotional but hugely proud moment,” said Dr Mallya, announcing that the team will official feature as an Indian entry in the 2008 FIA World Championship when it kicks off in Australia on March 16.
As drivers Giancarlo Fisichella, Adrian Sutil and Vitantionio Liuzzi were presented in their brand new red and white livery, Mallya reiterated the promise that this first Indian F1 team will feature on the podium of the 2010 Indian Grand Prix.
“It’s a challenging task ahead. It would need a lot of hard work, sweat and tears,” Mallya said to the audience featuring the likes of Shilpa Shetty and driver Karun Chandhok. “But Force India will demonstrate steady progress moving forward.”
In a moment of typical Indian drama and sentiment, he added: “We will have your blessings, prayers and good wishes to help us along.”
It’s the fourth change of livery that the team has undergone in as many years following the annual change of ownership. Among its predecessors, Jordan was the famous yellow, Midland used red and white and Spyker orange and silver. Force India arrives as the new “face of modern India”, as Mallya described it, complete with the Indian tricolour featuring in their logo.
But with the change in colours, Force India would be hoping for a change in fortunes as well. Last season, Spyker was languishing between positions 14-21 with the one-off best 8th-place finish in Japan, which earned them one point.
This year, with a much-improved $120 million budget, they are hoping to be up in the midfield at least.

Kashmir: National Conference, PDP welcome ceasefire along LoC

'Money laundering charge established': UK judge clears Nirav Modi's extradition

'When will smart cities be built, rivers cleaned': Akhilesh Yadav asks BJP

Indian expats in UAE seek exemption from self-paid Covid tests on arrival

Months before Chamoli tragedy, satellite images showed crack in mountain ice

Covid-19 spike in Mumbai: Here's how the hotspots changed in 9 days

India, Pakistan agree to follow all ceasefire pacts

Would be compelled to take pre-emptive strike against imminent attack: India

‘All pass’: Tamil Nadu CM says no final exams for classes 9,10, 11
- The state board exams are usually held in March, but had been postponed to April this year, due to the pandemic.

57 countries back India's demand for IPR waiver on Covid-19 vaccine: Goyal
- In October of last year, India and South Africa proposed a TRIPS waiver for all WTO members to allow greater access to affordable Covid-19 healthcare facilities

Self-regulating body, monthly compliance reports: Govt's social media guidelines

NSA Doval led secret back-channels talks with Pak for months before DGMO pact
- The first sign that India-Pakistan back-channel conversations were on track came this month when Pak army chief Gen Bajwa said it was time to extend a hand of peace in all directions

Centre opposes same sex marriage in Delhi HC

India's healthcare workers balk at taking homegrown Covid-19 vaccine
- India has vaccinated more than 10.5 million health and front-line workers since beginning its immunisation campaign on Jan. 16. But only 1.2 million, or about 11%, of them have taken COVAXIN, the locally developed vaccine from Bharat Biotech.

'Needed level playing field': Govt announces new online media rules
- As per the new guidelines, social media platforms are required to disclose the first originator of mischievous tweet or message, the information and technology minister announced.