It was a historic day for Indian motoring. Even as Tata Motors chief Ratan Tata unveiled its Nano, the world’s cheapest car in New Delhi, Force India F1 team owner Vijay Mallya presented to the media his main drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil, and Vitantonio Liuzzi as reserve driver for the 2008 season.

As Mallya put it: “We (including Tata Motors) have proven that India has the capability of making forays competitively in global markets. Every Indian ought to cherish this moment, for it is a dream that has just been realised.”

The focus undoubtedly was on Renault exile Fisichella who from the outset had been the firm favourite to take the one remaining seat on this season’s grid following a test shootout in which the renamed team tried out seven experienced drivers.

In a glitzy ceremony, Fisichella, his partner young German star Sutil and Liuzzi—who split with Toro Rosso—were presented to the audience, walking out of a giant helmet.

For Fisichella, this will be his third separate stint with the Silverstone-based squad, having raced for it in its previous guise of Jordan. Said the Italian: “obviously it’s nice to be back again under the same roof as in 1997, 2002 and 2003.”

Fisichella said it was great to be back with familiar faces. “The most important thing is to see some of the same mechanics as in 1997, and the atmosphere is still fantastic. It’s really familiar. It was like coming back home—I felt comfortable straight away as soon as I went to the factory to fix the seat. “I’m happy about that and I’m sure we can achieve success.”

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