Mallya downplays Ralf's Spyker link

The Indian billionaire has close links to Schumacher through his sponsorship of the Toyota team and, with the German still on the look out for an F1 seat for 2008, rumours have linked him with Spyker.

But speaking to the official Formula One website, Mallya has played down Schumacher's chances and says that 'sympathy' for a friend will not sway his decision on future drivers.

"I know Ralf well from my role as a sponsor of the Toyota team and I personally hold him in high regard," said Mallya. "But a driver line-up is not something that should be decided by the heart but by the brain.

"I want drivers that can raise the standards in the team. I always get asked if we will have an Indian driver and my response is - if I can find one who is ready, yes. But only under the parameters just said.

"Drivers are a crucial part of the team so the driver line-up is a serious matter and not a sympathy contest."

With his Spyker deal only having just gone through, Mallya has said his first priority will be investing more money in the engineering aspects of the team.

"There has been little invested in R&D, so I want to change that," he said. "I want to increase the resources in engineering. This team has a great pedigree - so why shouldn't it be possible to restore the past glory.

"I am aware that buying was the easiest part. It's like adopting a child. When you have finally concluded the legal procedures you feel happy, but then the big work comes with the upbringing. I am one hundred percent committed to playing my part."