Sahara Force India Team Principal Dr Vijay Mallya believes he will field an unchanged driver line-up for the 2016 Formula 1 season, admitting he is delighted to have both Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez racing for him.
Hulkenberg had been linked with a move to the Scuderia Ferrari team for 2016, but once the news that the team had re-signed Kimi Raikkonen, the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans winner was left in limbo, but Mallya feels he and team-mate Perez are both likely to remain as team-mates for a third consecutive season.
“The aim is to keep both of them next year,” said Dr Mallya to Autosport. “I’m confident we will keep them both.
“Of course until contracts are signed, I won’t confirm anything, but I do not believe they will leave the team.
“Nico has been fantastic this year, he is one of the best drivers out there and we’re very pleased with him. It’s the same for Checo. I couldn’t be happier with them both.”
“There is no deadline; history will tell you I am probably one of the last to announce the line-up. The drivers are committed, the motivation levels are high and they are delighted with the B-spec car and the direction the team is going in.
“If they didn’t want to stay, they would tell me. We’re very good friends and have a good relationship. I’m happy with both drivers and I think both are happy with the team.”
