Mallya ‘devastated’ to lose F1 team
BUDAPEST: Vijay Mallya is ‘devastated’ to have lost control of the Force India Formula One team but the embattled tycoon should still have a say in what happens next, according to his right-hand man Bob Fernley.
The Briton, who was deputy team principal until a court-appointed administrator took charge last Friday, said that Mallya would act in the best interests of a team he acquired in 2007.
“I don’t know. I think there’s more to come yet,” he said in an interview at Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix when asked whether Mallya’s Formula One adventure had reached the end of the road.
“He will also be able to discuss directly with the administrator the future of the team and Vijay is certainly not going to get in the way of making sure the team is fully supported. That’s not his way of doing things.
“The team means a huge amount to him and he’s devastated with the situation as it is at the moment. But as the major creditor he hopefully can make sure it is in the right hands going forward to go on to better things.”
Mallya has a 42.5 per cent stake in the Silverstone-based team, with a similar shareholding in the hands of the Indian Sahara Group and the remainder owned by Dutch businessman Michiel Mol.
HAMILTON PLANS TO TURN UP HEAT IN DUEL
BUDAPEST : Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has no intention of lazing on a beach as Formula One takes its annual European summer break following his resounding triumph in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Instead, he plans to fine-tune his physical and mental fitness in readiness to turn up the heat in his closely-fought title duel with Sebastian Vettel next month.
“The second half of the season is always intense, but it is usually when it gets a bit better on our side,” he said, referring to his Mercedes team. HAMBURG, GERMANY: English veteran Richard Mcevoy held his nerve to birdie the last hole and win the European Open on Sunday, his first career triumph in his 285th tour event.
The 39-year-old finished on 11 under par for a one-shot victory over Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand, Renato Paratore of Italy and Germany’s Allen John.
John, who is profoundly deaf, carded a five under par final round of 67, the best of the day.
“It’s incredible,” Mcevoy told europeantour.com of his longawaited victory. “I’ve waited a long time, 17 years as a pro on and off the tour. I’m absolutely over the moon,” he added.
In a tense finish, Blomstrand and Paratore both birdied the last for rounds of 68 and 70 respectively to join John on 278 for the championship and when Mcevoy bogeyed the 17th, there was a four-way tie for the lead.
But Mcevoy held his nerve, sinking a tricky putt for victory.
“I fought hard, I believed. I’ve tried to enjoy my golf as much as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, John said he was overjoyed at his finish despite narrowly missing out on a playoff with Mcevoy and that being deaf is something to which he has become accustomed. “It’s just been a part of me since I can think of, I’ve tried to make the best of it,” said the 30-year-old, who has been wearing hearing aids since he was two.