Force India logo, 2017

No decision yet on Force India name change

2018 F1 season

Posted on

| Written by

Force India has not yet decided whether it will change its name ahead of the 2018 F1 season, F1 Fanatic understands.

Reports on Tuesday claimed a new name for the team will be announced at a car launch event on February 25th.

Adrian Sutil,. Force India, Melbourne, 2008
Force India has been on the grid since 2008
The Silverstone-based team has been in discussions about changing its name since last year, with a view to removing ‘India’ from its title. The team has indicated a more generic name could increase its appeal to potential sponsors.

One alternative name given serious consideration was ‘Force One’. But this was rejected due to concerns it would be too similar to registered Formula One marks. Team name changes require the approval of F1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media.

Force India has competed under its current name since 2008. The team originally entered F1 in 1991 when owned by Eddie Jordan, and was sold to Midland and Spyker before being bought by its current owners.

Last year Force India made a last-minute overhaul to its colour scheme after landing a major new backer on the eve of the first race. Between the end of pre-season testing and the opening round in Melburne the cars were repainted pink instead of silver to suit sponsor BWT.

Don't miss anything new from RaceFans

Follow RaceFans on social media:

2018 F1 season

Browse all 2018 F1 season articles

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

33 comments on “No decision yet on Force India name change”

  1. If they’re going to do something, I think they should drop both Force and India from the name and come up with something completely new. Force sounds a little childish to me.

    If I were Force India, I’d be looking for a huge sponsor to name the team after.

    1. @strontium that leaves us with “One”

      ….BWT Eins?

    1. Yes!

      1. I’d love to see Jordan (Grand Prix or F1 team) back as a name in F1.

    2. Though Buzzin Hornets is fine.

    3. Yes! Jordan Grand Prix.

    1. Duncan Snowden
      23rd January 2018, 18:24

      Bob Fernley has already stated that the FORCE company was incorporated back in November, but it didn’t mean the use of the name had been finalized. Personally, I suspect they might run into difficulties with the drag racing Force family. “Force India” is one thing, but simply “Force” or “Force Racing” is uncomfortably close. Generally, under trademark law, you can use the same name if you’re not in the same business; the question would be whether drag racing and F1 are similar enough.

      I don’t know why they don’t call themselves “Silverstone” and have done with it. As it’s a description of their location, they’d probably be fine vis-a-vis the circuit. Or, as David says, licence Eddie Jordan’s name back. I’m sure he’d be willing to negotiate terms. :)

      1. Michael Brown (@)
        23rd January 2018, 18:26

        Force Jordan!

        1. Eddy Force. No royalty payments – but a subtle nod to team history and a tribute to electromagnetic propulsion.

        2. Forspyker !

          1. Force Eddie’s Funky Shirts

  2. I think they shouldn’t Force themselves into One hasty decision

    1. @johnmilk wooops, that didn’t work.
      But that was “ba dum tsss” drum picture))))

    1. You can’t name an F1 team Bob!

  3. Yeah, there are reports about name change being announced together with car launch..
    https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/force-india-f1-rename-confirmed

  4. Glad they didn’t go with Force One, that’s so generic and unimaginative it hurts. Don’t have any idea what a good name would be though, given that they seem to be intent on keeping the Force part.

    1. +1

      They should drop the force part, other than their marketing head being a star wars fan i really do not see the point.

  5. “Indie Force” (indie as in privateer)

  6. Force BWT could be interesting and would easily adapt to new sponsors in the future.

  7. Luke, lose the Force

  8. How about Forced Extradition. Simple and appropriate.

    1. Hahahaha

      +1

  9. Why not Force United Formula One: the FU F1 abbreviation would seem nice on tv.

    1. Haha I can’t stop laughing!

  10. I started watching F1 in 2010, so I don’t really feel the nostalgia people have for Jordan F1. However, in that same time, Force India has been my favourite team on the grid, regularly outperforming and punching above their weight, and being a team that truly, visibly, loves F1. It being an Indian team helped me get into F1 too! I know the team itself will remain the same, but I will miss the Force India name for the same reasons (I guess) that some people miss Jordan. I have gotten attached to this team, and if they change their identity this year, I will miss it dearly.

  11. Pat Ruadh (@fullcoursecaution)
    24th January 2018, 8:51

    FORCEpower

Comments are closed.