STR pays Force India to end ‘customer car’ row

(GMM) The 'customer car' quarrel between F1 rivals Force India and Toro Rosso is now over, according to reports.

We reported in May that the dispute was indeed nearing an end, following a meeting between team figures at the Red Bull-owned 'Carpe Diem' restaurant in Austria.

It is believed the teams made a renewed effort to settle the argument following the collapse of Super Aguri, whose practice of using essentially Honda-designed cars was also the subject of an arbitration case brought by Force India.

The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport claims that Force India's similar gripe against Red Bull secondary team Toro Rosso is now also over, following the payment of compensation to the tune of 4.5 million euros.

Reportedly, Force India team principal Colin Kolles wanted 9 million, but was ultimately talked down by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.