Mallya: Scandal will not end backing

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The billionaire Kingfisher Airlines supremo believes commercial and market forces dictate whether an existing or potential sponsor sees the sport as an ideal advertising platform.

"The focus and attention now is: what is Max's future?" Mallya told PA Sport. "It isn't that the popularity of the sport or its future is in question as a result of what has happened. Formula One is great, growing, very popular, fantastic, so business rises above it all."

He added: "A hard-nosed businessman will make a decision on spending money in Formula One, irrespective of the Mosleys of this world. They are not going to dictate the economic benefits.

"It is very clear Formula One in general is a huge advertising platform because of the number of eyes viewing the TV, second only to the Olympics and the World Cup.

"As a businessman, I have used Formula One as a platform for the past 12 years, and now other businesses can use Force India as their platform to reach out.

"That is not going to be affected by Mosley or anybody else. I've my sponsors and they don't care. They don't really know who Mosley is and don't care who he is!"

As the new kids on the block, rather than the established old guard, the attraction of doing business with Force India is obvious.

The Indian market is a burgeoning one and, such is the economic boom, the country is due to host its first grand prix in 2010. As far as Mallya is concerned, the Mosley factor matters little.

He added: "You could ask the question as to what will the Indian public, fans and potential fans of F1 and Force India think. Fortunately, Force India is insulated from it because people are generally proud that India has a team on the grid, something that has never happened before."