Force India has begun the process of renaming the team for the 2018 season in a move it hopes will open it up to greater sponsorship opportunities.
The Silverstone based outfit plans to drop 'India' from its name to become Force One, or Force One Grand Prix, with the move motivated by a lack of Indian companies getting involved in the sport as well as the loss of the Indian Grand Prix.
Several companies bearing the new name have been registered with Companies House, including Force One Grand Prix, Force One Racing, Force One Team, Force One Hospitality and Force One Technologies.
At present they have just one director listed, Dr Thiruvannamalai Laskshimi Kanthan, who is a long-time associate of Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya.
Dr Kanthan is an accountant who is also listed as a director of the Force India team, as well as other companies related to it.
Mallya feels the current name could limit the team's ability to attract further sponsors, despite recently signing a multi-million pound deal with water giant BWT, which saw the two VJM10's turn pink in colour.
"The feeling is that with our improved performance, we are able to attract more international sponsors. Force India could be restrictive," said the Indian-born businessman. "But it is an important decision, not to be taken in haste."
The next step will be for Force India to apply to the FIA and for the change to be approved by the F1 Commission, which requires the backing of several teams. A potential hurdle could come from the sport's owner Liberty Media, with Force One looking and sounding similar to Formula One.
The team came close to being renamed Aston Martin Racing last season before that deal fell through, with the British car company instead signing a sponsor deal with Red Bull Racing.
