Force India F1 denies being under offer, confirms launch plans

Force India has issued a statement denying its Formula 1 team is currently subject to any offer from potential investors in the wake of speculation in the media over the last few days.

A report published by the Daily Mail early this week claimed Force India was subject to a takeover bid from energy drink company Rich Energy, but the team has moved quickly to dash this speculation despite there being plans for the team to rebrand over the winter.

"Following recent media reports speculating on the sale of Force India Formula One Team Limited, the Company’s shareholders wish to clarify that there is no offer from potential investors under consideration," a statement from the team reads.

Force India confirmed towards the end of last season it was considering plans to rebrand the team in order to make it more appealing to sponsors, potentially dropping the 'India' part of the name.

The team went as far as registering a number of different company names in the UK, but remains listed as 'Force India Formula 1 Team Limited' on the official FIA entry list for the new season.

Force India also confirmed its launch plans for its new F1 car, the VJM11, ahead of the 2018 season, with the covers set to be taken off the new chassis on Monday morning ahead of the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona at 8am local time.

The team will be the last to offer a first glimpse of its new car for the 2018 season, with fellow Monday launcher Toro Rosso having already posted a picture of its model to social media on Wednesday.