Force India stripped of points

SPAFRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium: The renamed Force India Formula One team will start from zero at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix after being stripped of its constructors’ championship points and accepted as a new midseason entry.

The governing International Automobile Federation said Mexican Sergio Perez and Frenchman Esteban Ocon would keep their points.

The new team, controlled by a consortium led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, will be called Racing Point Force India.

Otmar Szafnauer has been appointed principal, following the departure of former deputy principal Bob Fernley.

Force India was previously sixth in the championship.

Force India, coowned by financially troubled Indian magnate Vijay Mallya, went into administration at the end of July. A rescue deal was announced earlier tihs month.

The old team’s exclusion from the championship will also carry a significant financial cost for the team and a bonus for others as prize money is calculated by the championship standings over several seasons.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso has said he turned down an offer from Red Bull before announcing his departure from Formula One at the end of the season.

The McLaren driver told Sky Sports television yesterday the approach came after Australian Daniel Ricciardo stunned Red Bull by deciding to join Renault in 2019 rather than accept a new deal. — Reuters