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.
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.
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Strontium (@strontium)
23rd January 2018, 15:19
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.
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
23rd January 2018, 17:56
@strontium that leaves us with “One”
….BWT Eins?
David
23rd January 2018, 16:36
Jordan.
Pedro Andrade
23rd January 2018, 16:58
Yes!
Egonovi
23rd January 2018, 21:24
I’d love to see Jordan (Grand Prix or F1 team) back as a name in F1.
faulty (@faulty)
23rd January 2018, 17:09
+1
Aleš Norský (@gpfacts)
23rd January 2018, 17:27
++1
faulty (@faulty)
23rd January 2018, 17:10
Though Buzzin Hornets is fine.
Shimks (@shimks)
24th January 2018, 10:41
Yes! Jordan Grand Prix.
ptrwiv (@ptrwiv)
23rd January 2018, 18:09
https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/7sed3a/force_india_to_be_renamed_to_force_formula_one/
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. :)
Michael Brown (@)
23rd January 2018, 18:26
Force Jordan!
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
23rd January 2018, 20:17
Eddy Force. No royalty payments – but a subtle nod to team history and a tribute to electromagnetic propulsion.
Egonovi
23rd January 2018, 21:25
Forspyker !
Mahesh (@m47e57)
24th January 2018, 7:51
Force Eddie’s Funky Shirts
Joao (@johnmilk)
23rd January 2018, 18:56
I think they shouldn’t Force themselves into One hasty decision
Dmitry (@)
24th January 2018, 7:13
@johnmilk
Dmitry (@)
24th January 2018, 7:15
@johnmilk wooops, that didn’t work.
But that was “ba dum tsss” drum picture))))
John H (@john-h)
23rd January 2018, 18:57
Bob
Lancer033 (@lancer033)
24th January 2018, 9:02
You can’t name an F1 team Bob!
Rahul (@rahulm)
23rd January 2018, 19:04
Yeah, there are reports about name change being announced together with car launch..
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/force-india-f1-rename-confirmed
TFLB (@tflb)
23rd January 2018, 19:45
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.
Pyon (@pyon)
23rd January 2018, 20:49
+1
They should drop the force part, other than their marketing head being a star wars fan i really do not see the point.
AndrewT (@andrewt)
23rd January 2018, 20:09
“Indie Force” (indie as in privateer)
Chris B (@kanundra)
23rd January 2018, 22:11
Force BWT could be interesting and would easily adapt to new sponsors in the future.
Andrey Baydin (@minilemm)
23rd January 2018, 23:17
Luke, lose the Force
Ron Mon (@henslayer)
23rd January 2018, 23:36
How about Forced Extradition. Simple and appropriate.
Todfod (@todfod)
24th January 2018, 7:36
Hahahaha
+1
BasCB (@bascb)
24th January 2018, 9:30
Thank you @henslayer :-)
mustavo gaia
23rd January 2018, 23:56
Why not Force United Formula One: the FU F1 abbreviation would seem nice on tv.
Trayambak Chakravarty (@major-dev)
24th January 2018, 8:16
Haha I can’t stop laughing!
Trayambak Chakravarty (@major-dev)
24th January 2018, 8:20
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.
Pat Ruadh (@fullcoursecaution)
24th January 2018, 8:51
FORCEpower