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Robert Fernley has left the Force India F1 team following its takeover by a Lawrence Stroll led consortium. The Briton held the role of deputy team principal since he joined the team in 2008, working alongside former team owner Vijay Mallya.
Fernley managed operations at Grand Prix weekends when Mallya, who has not been allowed to leave the UK for the last number of years, was unable to attend. Following the takeover of the team by Stroll, Fernley was informed that he was no longer needed.
Chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer will take over team principal proceedings at the team, which is going through a transitional phase. At the Spa-Francorchamps circuit this weekend, all of its branding has been covered up while it verifies its legal situation.
Monza switch up expected
As Sahara Force India owns the entries for races, and Larence Stroll controls all the hardware, including cars, the team will likely have to run under a different name later on in the season, pending approval by the rest of the teams.
This will mean that all of Force India's points that have been collected so far this season will be erased, and the Silverstone-based outfit will start from scratch. If that was to happen, it would likely see an immediate switch up in the driver line-ups.
While Lance Stroll is expected at the currently called Force India team next year, he could move before the end of the season, opening up a move for Esteban Ocon to McLaren. Williams' development driver Robert Kubica would then take up a race seat at the team.
Fernley has been outstanding, I don't understand this move. It feels very political. Nobody at Force India should be fired. NOBODY. The team is as lean and efficient as it can be.
It's entirely possible that Lawrence Stroll was "asking" Fernley to do something that he had zero intention of doing, such as switch out one of the drivers for his son.
I read Robert Fernley was VJ's right hand man and consigliere at FI, coordinating on the phone at away races. Agreed he's done a fine job. Still, there may be worry that Bobby could continue as a stoolie, passing on insider info and maybe even executing prison cell directives if VJ or the kid has anything on him.
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ajpennypacker
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Fernley has been outstanding, I don't understand this move. It feels very political. Nobody at Force India should be fired. NOBODY. The team is as lean and efficient as it can be.