Silverstone: Missing India, and pining for a pit lane he can visit only once a year? Not a bit of it, says embattled Formula One team owner Vijay Mallya.
The flamboyant businessman, currently fighting a high-profile Indian extradition request, speaks instead of ‘enjoying the fruits’ of his labours on track and planning high-flying Force India’s next decade.
He is also, despite the court appearances and travel restrictions, still living the good life and enjoying a summer of sport.
Horse racing at Royal Ascot, the Wimbledon tennis championships and Champions Trophy cricket have all been on his social diary, along with Wednesday’s Formula One promotional event in London.
“There’s nothing to miss,” the 61-year-old said at the British Grand Prix when asked if he missed India.
“All my immediate family is either in England or the US. Nobody in India at all. As far as my step-siblings are concerned, they are all UK citizens. So there’s nothing family-wise to miss.”
India is seeking Mallya’s extradition over $1.4 billion (Dh5.14 billion) that the authorities say he owes as a result of loans tied to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya has dismissed the charges against him.
“This witch hunt against me has been going on for a while,” said Mallya, who has lived in Britain since 1992 and considers it a second home.
“So it isn’t as if I have any emotional ups and downs. I have done absolutely nothing wrong. In fact I am glad that it is finally before a UK court and an impartial court. So we wait and see how it plays out.”
The full extradition hearing has been provisionally listed to start on December 4 and to last two weeks.
