Force India to compensate Ferrari for split
It is now common knowledge that the Indian billionaire, whose team is currently powered by customer Ferrari engines, is in talks with McLaren-Mercedes about a full technical package for 2009.
"I am in active discussion with McLaren and Ferrari," he said on Wednesday. "We will make an announcement either in Brazil, or before Brazil."
Mallya said the McLaren talks began because Ferrari "are not very sure" if they can bundle a customer KERS system for next year.
And despite Force India debuting its own seamless gearbox this year, he also said he wants to buy a complete transmission for 2009.
"Adrian (Sutil) suffered gearbox failure (in China). At the end of the day what sense does it make for me to have a great engine, a great KERS system, and a gearbox that's tentative?" Mallya said.
"That's why I said go for the whole hog, a good tried and proven and tested package from the top two teams. And that's what I'm seeking to achieve."
Complicating his talks with McLaren is Force India's ongoing contract with Ferrari, and the fact that the split is to occur so late into preparations for 2009.
"It is recognized that if for whatever reason we need to part, it will be a very friendly parting. And that's all agreed," Mallya insisted.
"If they have incurred some costs developing engines for us for next year, we'll talk about it. We're certainly not going to be bloody minded.
"If they have incurred costs on my behalf, I think I owe it to them to offer to reimburse."