Sahara Force India Sings Long-term Agreement with Mercedes-Benz

Sahara Force India Formula One team has yesterday singed a long-term agreement with its engine supplier Mercedes, to use their full powertrain from the 2014 formula one season onwards. As per the agreement, Mercedes-Benz will now supply a complete power unit (Internal combustion engine plus energy recovery system), gearboxes and hydraulic systems to Force India.

Mercedes-Benz has been supplying the engines to the Sahara Force India since 2009, and the alliance is now in its fifth season. Commenting on the same, Sahara Force India's team principal Vijay Mallya said, "Our new agreement with Mercedes-Benz for the coming years is the most significant in the history of Sahara Force India," However, he didn't mention McLaren.

"With new powertrain regulations being introduced next year, I can't think of a better partner to work with as Formula One enters a new and exciting era." He added. Speaking about the future of the agreement and 'long-term stability', he further said that it "will enable us to continue our journey towards the front of the Formula One grid."

Formula one will now have a new engine from 2014 season, in spite of the existing 2.4-litre V8 engine, a new turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 unit with a kinetic and heat energy recovery system will be used. "This long-term agreement offers excellent value in terms of the balance between price and performance. We hope it will mean Mercedes-Benz and Sahara Force India working together for the entire life cycle of the new powertrain generation," said Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff.