Force India ready to reimburse Ferrari

Mallya, whose team are using Ferrari engines, has made no secret of the fact that he is in talks with McLaren and Mercedes over a technical partnership for 2009.

The deal could extend as far as a customer car type, depending on the regulations.

Mallya said Ferrari are aware of the details of his talks with McLaren, and the Indian billionaire has made it clear he is ready to reimburse the Italian squad if they part ways.

The Force India boss insisted, however, that it would be a amicable split.

"Ferrari and us are very, very close friends, we have an excellent relationship," said Mallya. "We have told them exactly what we want. We are in discussion.

"They are aware that I have talked to McLaren, so everything is completely transparent from our point of view. And it is also recognised that if for whatever reason we need to part, it will be a very friendly parting. And that's all agreed.

"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.

"Beyond that I think there is a very positive and friendly spirit on either side, and so they will not be any acrimony or any wilful enforcement of a contract."

Mallya said Ferrari were unsure if they could supply Force India with an entire drivetrain in 2009, which is what the Indian is looking for.

"I have asked for the entire drivetrain and KERS package from both potential suppliers. Ferrari are not very sure that they can give me the entire drivetrain. Adrian (Sutil) suffered gearbox failure [in Shanghai]," he added.

"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? 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."

The team boss played down fears that part of his staff would be left without a job if Force India used more customer parts next year.

"Everybody in this company has to realise that R&D and in-house development is one thing, but we need to think ahead and we need to think big," he said.

"We have to be competitive, we have to improve our performance, we must regularly be in the points. We can't have this situation and I don't have the luxury of time to be able to just sit back and allow people to keep developing. There a huge initiative to cut costs in F1.

"I say to my guys at Silverstone, we have use for you, we certainly value your talents and your skills. We will use them, but we will use them more effectively to make ourselves a better team and race a better car. Just because I decide to buy the drivetrain from a particular supplier doesn't mean that my guys don't have anything to do."