Vijay Mallya has resigned as a director of Force India and is expected to handed the board role to his son Siddarth, while he remains the team principal of the Silverstone outfit. Mallya says he want to focus on his own legal issues, and doesn't want them to impact the team.
Although best known in his home country as an actor and media personality, 31-year-old Siddarth has also worked in the family business, and served as a director of the Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL cricket team.
"I continue as team principal," Mallya told Autosport. There was no compulsion anywhere to resign, it's just that I decided that my son should replace me. I have my own legal issues to take care of, so it's better that the company remains unaffected."
Mallya downplayed ongoing suggestions that the team is close to a sale.
"Rumours keep going on and on and on, and people talk and talk and talk," he said.
"That's what the F1 paddock is all about. The finances of Force India, whether I'm selling or not selling, has been a matter of speculation on and off for many years.
"We don't go around with a 'for sale' sign. The bottom line is that we are focusing on getting the best performance out of the car, and that is our priority. We're focusing on getting more sponsors.
"There are three shareholders, remember, I'm not the only one.
"If somebody comes along with a serious offer, and puts cash on the table, we will jointly consider it."
Mallya also denied rumours Mercedes might strengthen its ties with Force India by extending the current cooperation on engines and gearbox and making into a junior or B-team.
