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Mallya not selling Force India

ESPNF1 Staff
October 7, 2011 « Alonso encouraged by Friday practice | Renault encouraged by improved showing »
Vijay Mallya's Force India team is enjoying a successful season, lying sixth in the constructor's championship © Sutton Images
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Vijay Mallya says he is not selling the Force India team, branding reports to the contrary as "completely untrue and without any basis whatsoever."

A report in the Asian Age claimed that a deal for Mallya to sell was "on the verge of being finalised" following his decision to close down his low-cost airline Kingfisher Red. Mallya, however, moved quickly to quash the rumours, saying that they had no substance and citing the inaugural Indian Grand Prix this season as further reason to be involved with the team.

"I was shocked to read a media report that I am selling the Force India Formula One team," Mallya said in a statement. "This is completely untrue and without any basis whatsoever. I take great pride in having been able to put an Indian team on the Formula One World Championship grid and have worked very hard to greatly improve the performance of the team.

"Now that India is finally on the Formula One World Championship calendar, my commitment to Force India becomes even stronger. As Team Principal, I will continue to run the team and I have no plans whatsoever to exit."

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