Abu Dhabi: Sahara Force India team owner Vijay Mallya took at dig at the Red Bull team on his twitter account after the big budget team was excluded from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying.
As the stewards ruled Red Bull had used an illegal front wing during the qualifying on Saturday, Mallya got his chance to even his score at the Red Bull principal Christian Horner; the latter had recently commented that cash-strapped struggling teams such as Force India should not ‘turn up to a gunfight with a banana’.
Mallya immediately tweeted: “A big F1 team that says we small outfits should not come with bananas to a gunfight, grabs maximum money and cheats on the regulations.”
“Arrogance and superiority complex on the part of those who are paid to be in F1 should not dilute or colour those who pay to be in F1,” read another tweet and third one was: “Have holders of purse strings and decisions makers in F1 become slaves to the whims of the big boys and the contracts? What about the F1 sport?”
Formula one supremo Bernie Ecclestone also made a derogatory comment but later apologised to the sport’s three smallest teams for describing them as ‘beggars and idiots’. However, the hopes of a financial settlement grew here at the capital and a meeting between Force India, Lotus, Sauber and Ecclestone was expected to happen anytime soon.
Financial woes had have struck both Marussia and Caterham and Mallya’s Force India, Lotus, and Sauber also joined hands to step-up their calls for more equal distribution of money.
Despite being in turmoil, Sahara Force India extended a multi-year contract with their driver Sergio Perez. The 24-year-old Mexican joined the team at the start of 2014 and enjoyed immediate success with a podium finish in only his third race for the team. Since then, he has continued to demonstrate his speed by scoring points in eleven races so far this season. “I am delighted that Checo will continue with us. He’s a true racer who has done a fantastic job for us this season. The whole team has been impressed with his speed and racecraft, as well as his role away from the track. He has a very bright future in Formula One and we will do our utmost to give him the equipment to match his talent,” said Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director.
Perez, too, was elated with the decision, saying: “It’s good to announce my plans. As soon as I joined Sahara Force India, I noticed the hunger and determination of everyone in the team, and I’m very proud to be part of that. I feel at home here and I’m fully committed. I’m enjoying my racing and we’ve already celebrated some special results together. I believe we can continue to achieve great things together in the future.”
