Force India Formula One Team Limited
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Force India Formula One Team Limited

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Force India Formula One Team Limited, commonly known as Force India and later Sahara Force India, was a Formula One racing team and constructor based in Silverstone), United Kingdom, with an Indian licence. The team was formed in October 2007 when a consortium led by Vijay Mallya and Michiel Mol bought the Spyker F1 team for €88 million. Force India achieved their first Formula One world championship points and podium place when Giancarlo Fisichella finished second in the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix. Sergio Pérez later secured five third-place finishes for the team, at the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix, 2015 Russian Grand Prix, 2016 Monaco Grand Prix, 2016 European Grand Prix and the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The team’s origins stemmed from the Jordan Grand Prix team, which entered Formula One in 1991. Jordan won four races and achieved third place in the 1999 Constructors' Championship before financial difficulties led to its sale to the Midland Group in 2005. Midland F1 Racing competed for two seasons before being sold to Spyker Cars midway through 2006. Following further financial issues at Spyker, Vijay Mallya and Michiel Mol purchased the team in 2007, renaming it Force India for the 2008 season.

The 2008 season saw Adrian Sutil retained as a driver, with Giancarlo Fisichella joining the team. The team used an updated version of the Spyker F8-VIIB chassis, powered by Ferrari engines and designated the Force India VJM01. Despite a poor start to the season, Fisichella achieved a tenth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, the team’s best result of the year. Force India finished tenth in the Constructors' Championship.

In 2009, Force India retained Sutil and Fisichella, switching to Mercedes-Benz engines and unveiling the VJM02. At the Chinese Grand Prix, Sutil almost secured the team's first points before crashing while holding sixth position. The team achieved a breakthrough at the Belgian Grand Prix, where Fisichella qualified on pole position and finished second, earning Force India their first points and podium. Shortly after, Fisichella was released to join Ferrari, with test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi taking his place. Sutil qualified second at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing fourth and setting the fastest lap of the race. Force India finished ninth in the Constructors' Championship.

The driver line-up of Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi was retained for the 2010 season, driving the VJM03. Points were scored in Bahrain and Australia, with Liuzzi achieving a seventh-place finish in the latter race. Several senior personnel left the team during the season, including technical director James Key. Force India finished seventh in the Constructors' Championship.

For 2011, Paul di Resta was promoted to a race seat alongside Sutil. The VJM04, powered by Mercedes-Benz engines, saw both drivers finish in the points at the Australian Grand Prix after the disqualification of the Sauber cars. Di Resta and Sutil secured points-scoring finishes throughout the season, helping the team to finish sixth in the Constructors' Championship.

The 2012 season saw Nico Hülkenberg replace Sutil, partnering Paul di Resta. Hülkenberg achieved a career-best finish of fifth at the Brazilian Grand Prix, after starting seventh and briefly leading the race. Force India finished seventh in the Constructors' Championship.

In 2013, Adrian Sutil returned to the team alongside Paul di Resta, driving the VJM06. The team secured a best finish of fourth at the Bahrain Grand Prix with di Resta, and finished sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.

The 2014 season saw Sergio Pérez join the team alongside Nico Hülkenberg. Pérez secured a podium finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the team’s first since 2009. Force India finished sixth in the Constructors' Championship.

The 2015 season saw Hülkenberg and Pérez retained. Despite financial difficulties, the team introduced a heavily revised B-spec car mid-season, improving performance. Pérez achieved a podium finish at the Russian Grand Prix, and Force India finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship.

In 2016, Force India again retained Hülkenberg and Pérez. Pérez secured two podium finishes, at the Monaco and European Grands Prix. The team achieved their highest ever Constructors' Championship finish of fourth.

For 2017, Esteban Ocon replaced Hülkenberg, partnering Pérez. The team adopted a striking pink livery due to a sponsorship deal with BWT. The season was marked by several collisions between Ocon and Pérez. Force India finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship for a second consecutive year.

The 2018 season saw Ocon and Pérez continue with the team. However, mid-season financial difficulties led to the team being placed into administration. A consortium led by Lawrence Stroll purchased the team’s assets, renaming it Racing Point Force India. This marked the end of the constructor that had been founded for the 2008 season.

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