Planet-F1

Force India in talks with McLaren-Mercedes

Friday 10th October 2008

Force India are reportedly in talks with McLaren-Mercedes about the Championship leaders providing them with engines and tech support for next season.

According to Autosport, talks having been going on between the two parties with regards to an engine supply for next year's Championship.

Together with the Mercedes engines, though, Force India would also receive technical support from McLaren. In return the backmarker outfit would run British driver Paul di Resta, a protégé of the McLaren team.

"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."