Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Absent Mallya hopes for Force India boost at Spain Grand Prix

Embattled Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya will not be attending Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix but he is hoping for a change of fortune on the track at least for his Formula One team in Barcelona.

The Indian government last month revoked Mallya’s diplomatic passport, which he had been entitled to as a member of the upper house of parliament, and asked Britain to deport him.


Indian bankers are seeking repayment of about $1.4 billion (£970 million) owed by his defunct Kingfisher Airlines. He told the Financial Times at the end of April that he was in “forced exile” and had no plans to leave Britain.

The team confirmed that the 60-year-old beer baron, who has missed all four races so far this season and looks unlikely to be able to get to one until the British Grand Prix in July, would be absent from Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.

The Force India principal’s financial problems have made more headlines than the results of team drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez this season but Mallya hoped a package of aerodynamic upgrades would bring some good news.

“It’s on schedule to be fitted to both cars ahead of Friday practice,” the Indian said in a team preview for the race. “It’s pretty comprehensive and the car will look quite different.”

A team spokesman said the upgrades would affect the bodywork around the cars’ sidepods, front wing and floor.

Mercedes-powered Force India, who achieved a best ever finish of fifth overall in the 2015 constructors’ championship, have scored only eight points so far in 2016 and are eighth in the standings.

Both drivers have suffered misfortune and accidents, caught up in chaos on the first lap of the most recent race in Russia.

“I hope we’ve used up all of our bad luck already,” said Mallya. “We’ve yet to see how we perform in a clean, trouble-free race without safety cars, red flags or accidents.

“Despite not realising our potential in Sochi (the Russian Grand Prix), we took encouragement from our qualifying and race pace: the car is improving and we’ve got a good base on which to build.”

More For You

shubman-gill-bcci

Shubman Gill plays a shot during the 3rd ODI between India and England in Ahmedabad. (Photo credit: BCCI)

England bowl first in Ahmedabad ODI as India rest key players

ENGLAND captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bowl against India in the third one-day international in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

England, trailing 2-0 in the three-match series, are aiming for a win ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rohit-Sharma-BCCI

Rohit brought up his 32nd ODI hundred with a six off Rashid but was dismissed soon after, caught by Rashid off a Livingstone full toss. (Photo: BCCI)

Rohit’s century powers India to ODI series win over England

INDIA secured the ODI series against England with a four-wicket win in the second match on Sunday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of the Champions Trophy. Captain Rohit Sharma led the chase with a 90-ball 119, helping India reach the 305-run target in 44.3 overs.

A floodlight failure delayed India’s innings for 30 minutes, but it did not affect Rohit, who struck seven sixes and 12 fours. Earlier, England posted 304 all out with one ball remaining, opting to bat first at Barabati Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less
Northern-Superchargers-Getty

Ben Stokes and Matthew Short of Northern Superchargers walk out to bat during The Hundred match between Manchester Originals and Northern Superchargers on August 11, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo: Getty Images)

Sunrisers Hyderabad to acquire Northern Superchargers in £100 million deal

INDIAN Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad is set to become the first full owners of an English Hundred team after agreeing to buy Yorkshire’s Northern Superchargers for a reported £100 million.

The Sun Group will be the third IPL-linked investor in the eight-team Hundred competition, following Reliance Industries, which owns Mumbai Indians, and RPSG, which runs Lucknow Super Giants.

Keep ReadingShow less
England rejects calls to boycott Afghanistan match

ECB chairman Richard Thompson. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

England rejects calls to boycott Afghanistan match

ENGLAND will play their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan later this month, England's cricket board (ECB) said, despite calls to boycott the game in response to the Taliban government's crackdown on women's rights.

Last month, a group of British lawmakers urged England to boycott the Champions Trophy group stage match against Afghanistan which will be held in Lahore on February 26.

Keep ReadingShow less
Greg Norman calls for more
golf events in ‘sleeping giant’ India

Greg Norman

Greg Norman calls for more golf events in ‘sleeping giant’ India

Eastern Eye

INDIA is a sleeping giant in golf, Australian legend Greg Norman has said, as he called for more tournaments to be held in the country to help players realise their true potential.

The 69-year-old former world number one, who has 88 professional titles under his belt, spoke of his optimism for India’s growth in the sport.

Keep ReadingShow less