Force India confirm timeframe for name change

Force India team principal Otmar Szafnauer says the Formula 1 squad will likely have a new name before the end of 2018. Force India was saved from administration by a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll in August and officially renamed Racing Point Force India, but another change has always been expected.

The team had been toying with the prospect of changing names for several years, moving away from the Indian image that they brought into the sport with Vijay Mallya in 2008.

Whether the name will be centralised on the 'Racing Point' name, a sponsor title or something else entirely is not known and Szafnauer says many options remain on the table.

Although a final decision remains in the distance, the team hope that it won't be too long inot the post-season before a new moniker is found.

Thank you Austin fans! @SChecoPerez always gets a super-special welcome here ???????????? #USGP pic.twitter.com/LiE8uKj6Cz — Racing Point Force India F1 (@ForceIndiaF1) October 20, 2018

Asked if December's FIA World Council meeting was a target, Szafnauer said: "That's the plan, so it's done well in time for next year. When I know [the name] I'll tell you.

"I think it's easier [now to come up with the name]. I think in the last couple of years some of the considerations were around selling the team.

"That bit of it's taken away so it's easier. We just have to come up with the right name that will last for a long time."

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