Vijay Mallya to remain India’s representative in world motorsport body FIA

Liquor baron Vijay Mallya who is facing extradition to India over charges of unpaid debts and money laundering will remain India’s top representative in world motorsport body FIA.

However, ever since Mallya’s passport has been revoked, deputy titular Vicky Chandhok travels to FIA’s conferences including the important Wold Motor Sports Council meeting.

The FIA is the world governing body for four wheel racing and FIM for two-wheel racing.

“We nominate representatives to FIA for a three-year term.  We can only nominate new names once the current cycle gets over in 2018. If we replace Mallya or even Vicky for that matter now, we lose our seat on the World Motor Sports Council, which is not good for Indian motorsport,” PTI quoted FMSCI president Akbar Ebrahim as saying.

Also Read: British court defers Vijay Mallya's extradition hearing to June 13

“To add to that, having both Vijay and Vicky in FIA benefits. They both are well connected in the FIA,” he added.

While Mallya, who is residing in the United Kingdom since March 2016, is having a tough time personally, his Formula One team Force India continue to punch above its weight.

It finished an unprecedented fourth in 2016 and has enjoyed a productive start to 2017 with 53 points from five races.