Vijay Mallya remains in favor of a capped budget

Less in sight for the moment than in 2017, when Force India was placed as the best team behind the untouchable trio Mercedes - Ferrari - Red Bull, Vijay Mallya's team remains one of the strong values ​​of recent seasons in F1, despite much less financial latitude than its direct rivals Renault Sport F1 Team or McLaren.

And if the Indo-British structure still intends to finish at the same level as during the previous campaign despite a start to the season below initial expectations. “We box in a category well above our weight, which I really appreciate, admits Mallya.

We are two points behind Haas, 21 points behind Renault, and 1 point ahead of McLaren. We were 20 points behind Williams two years ago and we still managed to catch up with them.

I remain optimistic about our ability to retain our 4th place Manufacturers from 2017. We have brought a new development that works at Silverstone and others will follow. »

Glass ceiling ?

However, the Indian businessman remains one of the staunch defenders of the introduction of cost containment in F1, via a capped budget. If the idea clearly raises eyebrows among the big guys in the championship, teams like Williams or Force India maintain their position.

“I wholeheartedly support the concept, insists the manager. I have repeatedly asked the F1 Group to rebalance remuneration between large and small teams. The basic concept, is that money should not buy performance.

We are currently beaten not by our lack of skills, but by our lack of budget. Money shouldn't be the only success factor as is the case today. »

Discover our full interview with Vijay Mallya as well as the report and analysis of the British Grand Prix, carried out by our special correspondents at Silverstone, in issue 2173 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.