Reuters/London


Force India’s 2015 Formula One car will not make its track debut until the third and final pre-season test in Barcelona some two weeks before the first race in Australia, the team said yesterday.
“The plan is to introduce it at the final test,” said a spokesman.
The season starts in Melbourne on March 15, with the final test ending on March 1.
Force India will take part in next week’s second test in Barcelona with their 2014 car, which is on its way to the circuit.
The team, with Mexican Sergio Perez and Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg as drivers, skipped the opening test of the year in Jerez, southern Spain, amid speculation about their finances although they rejected that.
Force India’s two major co-owners are Indian drinks tycoon Vijay Mallya and jailed Sahara Group chairman Subrata Roy.
Both have hit trouble in India, with a consortium of largely state-run Indian banks seeking repayment of more than $1 billion of loans from Mallya’s failed Kingfisher Airlines, which has not flown since 2012.
Roy has been held in a New Delhi jail since last March, and needs to post bail of $1.6 billion to get out, following a court order for Sahara Group to refund billions of dollars invested in outlawed bonds.
Sources familiar with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the market regulator, have said government officials could seize and sell Sahara assets, including hotels and properties, to raise cash.
Meanwhile Fox Sports has further bolstered its investment in premium motorsport by today announcing a new broadcast rights agreement with Foxtel, the Ten Network and Formula One Management, driving every event of the Formula 1 calendar to Fox Sports for the next five years.
Under the unprecedented new agreement, Fox Sports will broadcast all 20 events in the FIA Formula One World Championship Race Calendar LIVE and in High Definition — including every practice, qualifying and race — a first for Australian viewers, beginning with the 2015 Formula One 1 Rolex Australian GP in Melbourne on March 12. The Ten Network will continue to show 10 Formula 1 races during the 2015 season, simulcast LIVE with Fox Sports.
Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany, said: “This is a monumental deal for F1 fans and is in line with our V8 Supercars and MotoGP arrangements, bringing Australian viewers through Fox Sports on Foxtel LIVE coverage of every practice, qualifying and Championship Race from this season.
“On top of this, we have reached an extraordinary affiliate agreement with Sky to deliver through Fox Sports the same incredible Formula 1 coverage which is provided by Sky Sports in the UK.
“With LIVE coverage of every F1 event joining V8 Supercars and MotoGP on Fox Sports in 2015, fans will see the very best motorsport in the world, all LIVE and in High Definition.”
Foxtel CEO, Richard Freudenstein, said: “This announcement is great news for motorsports fans and terrific for Foxtel. Together with FOX SPORTS we have worked hard to build a truly comprehensive motor sports portfolio and F1 is, of course, an absolute jewel in the crown.
“Not only will fans see all the races live but we will add unrivalled behind the scenes experiences and the most expert commentary available. Fans of motor racing will be thrilled with what they can see if they subscribe to Foxtel’s sports package.”