Mallya to lead Force India team

Force India owner Vijay Mallya is to replace Colin Kolles as team principal in a major shake-up for next season.

Chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne, former technical director at Jordan, Renault and Toyota, has also left.

"Force India is my most difficult project and requires more direct input from my side and greater performance accountability," Mallya said.

"We have come a long way this season but we need more and that requires a radical reorganisation."

Indian billionaire Mallya bought the Spyker team along with Dutch businessman Michiel Mol in 2007 and the outfit raced under its new moniker for 2008.

However, Force India failed to win a single point in their first season with Giancarlo Fisichella's 10th place at the Spanish Grand Prix their best result.

Team-mate Adrian Sutil was running in a brilliant fourth place in Monaco before Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen slammed into the back of him in the closing laps, forcing him to retire.

Now Mallya, who has stuck with Fisichella and Sutil for 2009, has initiated a major management restructure as he seeks success on the track.

"Force India's senior management structure will be streamlined with immediate effect," the team said.

Mallya added: "I would like to thank Colin Kolles for his tireless efforts in keeping such a small team alive and to Mike Gascoyne for bringing his wealth of technical experience.

"But on Monday (10 November), I will announce the new technical direction of the team."

Force India have also ended their deal with engine suppliers Ferrari and are tipped to switch to the Mercedes engine used by world champion Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

Mercedes are expected to fulfil Mallya's wish of supplying an engine, gearbox and the required Energy Recovery System (KERS) in one package.