Mallya: Perez and Hulkenberg signed to Force India for 2017 - MotorSportsTalk

Sergio Perez and Force India will remain with Force India for the 2017 Formula 1 season, according to team owner Vijay Mallya.

Perez and Hulkenberg joined Force India at the beginning of 2014, working together to take the team to its best finish in the F1 constructors’ championship last year.

Both drivers were linked with moves away from the team for 2017, Perez being tipped as a possible replacement for Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari.

However, Mallya confirmed in Friday’s FIA press conference at Silverstone that both drivers had been firmed up for next year.

“We are very happy with Nico and Checo [Perez]. Both are signed for 2017 and really I haven’t thought about it beyond that,” Mallya said.

“We are very early, much earlier than normal, because usually we wait until the winter before announcing our drivers.

“This time we signed both for 2017 well in advance and of course today’s announcement from Ferrari [confirming Raikkonen] put to rest a lot of speculation that has been taking place in the last few weeks.”

The British Grand Prix marked Mallya’s first appearance in the paddock this season, as he is unable to travel due to legal issues in his native India.

“I’m absolutely delighted and over the moon to be here in Silverstone. It’s a very special race track for Force India,” Mallya said.

“I’m personally delighted to be here as all the other races I have virtually experienced them [because] sadly I am currently unable to travel.

“Since I am now spending my time in England, it’s far more regulated, less hectic. I’m doing what I’m passionate about and one thing I’m passionate about is Force India.

“I get a lot of pleasure out of it and the team is delivering results.”

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An IndyCar executive said there is “absolutely” disappointment that its long-awaited video game recently was delayed beyond its target date, but the series remains optimistic about the new title.

“Well, I don’t know how quick it will be, but the whole situation is important to us,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said during a news conference Monday morning to announce IndyCar’s NTT title sponsorship. “Motorsport Games has spent a lot of money, a lot of effort to create an IndyCar title. What we’ve seen of that effort, which is not completely obvious, is very reassuring.

“I think it’s going to be outstanding. That’s our shared objective, that when it is released, it’s just widely accepted. A great credit both to IndyCar racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that our fans love.”

In June 2021, IndyCar announced a new partnership with Motorsport Games to create and distribute an IndyCar video game for the PC and Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2023.

But during an earnings call last week, Motorsport Games said the IndyCar game had been delayed to 2024 to ensure high quality.

Somewhat compounding the delay is that IndyCar’s license for iRacing expired after the end of the 2022 season because of its exclusive agreement with Motorsport Games.

That’s resulted in significant changes for IndyCar on iRacing, which had provided a high-profile way for the series to stay visible during its 2020 shutdown from the pandemic. (Players still can race an unbranded car but don’t race on current IndyCar tracks, nor can they stream).

That’s helped ratchet up the attention on having a video game outlet for IndyCar.

“I wish we had an IndyCar title 10 years ago,” said Miles, who has been working with the organization since 2013. “We’ve been close, but we’ve had these I think speed bumps.”

IndyCar is hopeful the Motorsports Game edition will be ready at the start of 2024. Miles hinted that beta versions could be unveiled to reporters ahead of the time “to begin to show the progress in a narrow way to make sure we’ve got it right, to test the progress so that we’re ready when they’re ready.”

It’s been nearly 18 years since the release of the most recent IndyCar video game for console or PC.

“(We) better get it right,” Miles said. “It’s something we’re very close to and continue to think about what it is to make sure we get it over the line in due course.”