02/03/2009
NEWS STORY
Force India boss Vijay Mallya has revealed that Mercedes sought his permission before going ahead with a deal which could see the former Honda F1 team back on the grid this season.
"Under the FIA regulations, an engine supplier can supply two teams," Mallya told Reuters at Jerez today. "So logically that would have been Mercedes supplying McLaren and Force India.
"The FIA, I believe, have given special dispensation to Mercedes to supply an engine only to the former Honda team for one year," he revealed.
"I'm quite happy to just accept that in the interests of the sport because we've had one team disappear from the grid, Super Aguri in 2008, and I'd hate to see another team disappear in 2009. If Honda, in whatever new shape or form, can remain on the grid in 2009 then it's good for the sport of Formula One."
Mallya's approval is further proof, as if it were needed, of the new era of detente within the F1 pitlane, coming, as it does, days before FOTA's much anticipated press conference.