When Indian entrepreneur Vijay Mallya bought a "failing" Formula 1 team in '07, "few paddock insiders took him seriously," according to Brad Spurgeon of the N.Y. TIMES. But now, as Force India "is reaching the end of its ninth season in the series, the skeptics have been persuaded." Force India, which is based in Silverstone, England, has been a "resounding success" -- by Formula 1 terms -- "and has steadily climbed up the grid." During that period, Mallya himself has had "a reversal of fortune in India, where he is one of the country’s most famous names." His company, the United Breweries Group, makes Kingfisher beer and "sells a variety of products, from alcohol to chemicals to fertilizer," and he was the founder of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. He has "become mired in a debt scandal related to the airline’s collapse." At the same time, his role as a Formula 1 team owner and "his bona fides as a racer have only improved." He said, "Since I am now spending my time in England -- far more regulated, less hectic -- I am doing what I am passionate about. And one thing I sure am passionate about is Force India and Formula 1. And I spend a lot more time, I get a lot of pleasure out of it, and the team is delivering results." Force India is "indeed doing that." Since it entered the series in '08, the team has "made a constant climb up the standings." After finishing 10th that first year, it finished the season fifth in the series last year (N.Y. TIMES, 9/15).
