Force India’s star quality
December 23, 2008 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
From the unique style of the speed divas to the exuberant parties on board superyachts, Dr Vijay Mallya’s UB Group is closely associated with spectacle, dynamism and, above all, glamour.
In its debut year in the FIA Formula One World Championship, the Force India Formula One Team has similarly been imbued with the same glamorous outlook. Over the nine month season the team has hosted a brace of Indian and international stars and, in association with Kingfisher, has hosted some of the biggest parties seen in F1.
Bollywood came to town in a big way. The Mumbai-based Indian film sector presented some its brightest stars, with Riya Sen, Raima Sen, Sonam Kapoor, Imran Khan and the grand doyenne of Bollywood, Shilpa Shetty, all making appearances.
The natural link between Force India and India’s national sport cricket also led to some very familiar faces being seen in the team’s new three-storey motorhome; cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and Mohammed Azharuddin, former Indian cricket captain.
International celebrities included Ralf Moeller, the German star of Gladiator, James Caan, entrepreneur and star of BBC’s Dragon’s Den, Italian rock star Max Gazze (a close friend of Giancarlo Fisichella) and pop legend Leo Sayer.
The parties on board Dr Mallya’s private yacht, the 95-metre Indian Empress, were also a hallmark of the new team. Force India and Kingfisher hosted not one, but three parties over the season – one in Turkey and the opening and closing parties in Monaco.
Dr Mallya’s private yacht was full to bursting with guests, all dancing to top DJs Aqeel, David Morales, Norman Jay and Renault test driver Sakon Yamamoto, who also took a turn on the decks.
Paddock stars such as Bernie Ecclestone, Ron Dennis and Martin Whitmarsh of McLaren, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey of Red Bull Racing mixed with major international names such as Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong and of course F1 drivers past and present including two former World Champions, Keke Rosberg and Jacques Villeneuve, Eddie Irvine, Johnny Herbert, Marc Surer, Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell.
The team gave Good Times and promises to give more Good Times during the 2009 season.
