Force India rescue "just in time"

At one point this season it looked like Force India would be dropping off the grid and into oblivion, like so many teams before it, financially struggling and on the brink of collapse.

There was a real possibility that the team would not have a place on the grid next season, but team boss Otmar Szafnauer has revealed that the money arrived just in time to start work on the 2019 car, allowing the Force India team, in whichever guise they choose to take.

Lance Stroll’s dad Lawrence led a consortium that bought the team after the fell into administration over the summer, which is why his son is set for a race seat with the team next season.

Stroll’s intervention also saved over 400 jobs at the team and allowed the workforce to start designing and constructing their car for next season on time. The team look set to finish 7th in the Constructors’ Championship this season, three places below the last two years.

Szafnauer spoke about the developments for next seasons car: “Yes, it [the money] did [arrive] just in time for that.

“It’s hard to know how our preparations are going, because this game is relative, and unless you know what the others are finding it’s difficult to know where we stand.

“But we are happy with the progress we are making. We were fortunate enough to run a version of next year’s wing in the Hungary test and from that we have learned a lot and it’s given us good direction.”