Racing Point will be known as Aston Martin from next year after a deal was struck with the British sports car manufacturer. For ten years, however, the team was in the hands of Vijay Mallya. The Indian businessman sold his team in 2018 but is still delighted with the news.
"I am very happy for Lawrence and I am also very happy for the team," Mallya said to Motorsport.com. "This has always been our dream to eventually become a factory team. It is wonderful for Racing Point that it will actually happen now. And certainly, with an iconic British brand like Aston Martin, that has such a rich history."
Mallya took over the former Jordan team in 2008 from the Dutch businessman Victor Muller, who had let the teams drive around as Skyker for a year. The flamboyant Mallya was initially somewhat skeptical, but with him at the helm, the team would face a very stable period under Force India.
The news will be positive for Racing Point and it could be exactly the sort of thing the team needs to become a top team. They will have to wait until 2021 and will use 2020 as a season to prepare for the excitement the next season will bring.