Vijay Mallya (born December 18, 1955 in Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka) is the Team Principal of Force India and a former member of the Indian parliament. He founded the team along with Michiel Mol in 2008 after buying the assets of the Spyker team.
Mallya is defined as a fugitive of justice by the government of India. It is claimed that he has engaged in questionable financial dealings worth billions of Euros, and has had his passport revoked. He is residing in the United Kingdom, out on bail while he awaits a British court to rule on the request for extradition by the Indian authorities. He is unable to leave the UK, but continues to manage Force India.
Mallya also represented India on the World Motor Sport Council, until he was forced to resign that post. due to his severe financial and legal problems.