Force India could lose all of its World Championship points as part of a solution to allow it to race at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.
The team, which remains in administration despite a recent announcement that it had been rescued by a consortium of investors led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, reportedly risks dropping to last place in the standings as part of a rescue deal being put together by Liberty Media.
According to various sources, attempts to purchase the entirety of the team – it's assets and F1 entry – were abandoned by Stroll and his investors after a number of creditors failed to approve the deal within the specified timeframe. Instead, Stroll and Co moved to purchase all the team's assets, from the cars to the factory and racing equipment.
However the F1 entry remains the property of Vijay Mallya and his partners. Without this, the team is unable to race, but Liberty Media, unsurprisingly, are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that doesn't happen and are seeking the FIA to issue a new entry – it's not clear if this would require all current teams to vote unanimously in favour or not and the FIA has yet to comment on the matter.
A new entry will mean the team will have to race under a new name – hence why Force India branding has been removed from its vehicles and cars (pictured) – and it will be considered exactly that, a new entry, therefore its points will be scrapped.
It currently sits sixth with 59 points to its name.
Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon will retain their points and they would essentially "switch" to the new team.
Driver Swaps
It has also been reported that this could have a major knock-on effect on the driver market with Lance Stroll moving to the new team, replacing Ocon who would likely head to Renault. Carlos Sainz Jr, who has already signed for McLaren for 2019 to replace Fernando Alonso, would take over Stoffel Vandoorne's seat and the Belgian ousted. The vacant Williams seat would then likely be handed to Robert Kubica.
This major shake-up likely won't happen until the Italian Grand Prix next weekend as more serious matters are addressed.
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