Gascoyne, Kolles out as Mallya restructures Force India
Force India have reorganised their management structure ahead of the 2009 season, with chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne and team principal Colin Kolles both being sidelined. Team owner Vijay Mallya will take over from Kolles, assisted in his expanded role by Director of Force India, Robert Fernley.
In light of Gascoyne's departure, design director Mark Smith and technical director James Key will share responsibility for 2009’s VJM02 and all other future cars, while Patrick Missling, formerly Force India’s corporate and business director, will leave the team.
“Force India is my most difficult project to date and it has become clear that it requires more direct input from my side and greater performance accountability,” said Mallya, who will also continue as Chairman.
“We have come a long way this season, but we need more and that requires some radical reorganisation of the management structure to ensure the maximum productivity.
“I would like to thank Colin Kolles for his tireless efforts in keeping such a small team alive and to Mike Gascoyne for bringing his wealth of technical expertise. Both have played an instrumental part in making the team what it is today.”
Mallya will announce the appointment of a new chief operating officer, who will assume overall responsibility for the UK team’s Silverstone and Brackley facilities, as well as further information about Force India’s technical direction, on Monday.
