Force India Vs. Aerolab Dispute Gets Ugly

The ongoing dispute between Force India and their former wind tunnel collaborates Aerolab is on the verge of becoming more serious that initially expected, with each organization pushing forward with its legal action.

The latest news comes from the Italian company who, via an official statement, confirmed that it expects its director Jean Claude Migeot to be charged following a criminal complaint filed against him in Bologna. However, Aerolab made it very clear that this will not affect their own position in relation to the Silverstone-based company, meaning the Italians will not agree to any settlement with Force India.

“As a result of the retaliatory action already taken by Force India, it is expected that Aerolab's Director, Mr Jean Claude Migeot, will soon be charged pursuant to a criminal complaint filed in Bologna. Aerolab is confident in the positive outcome of all judicial matters in this affair,” wrote the statement.

“It appears that Force India's strategy will be to try and force Aerolab into a settlement that the company has no intention of accepting.”

“The upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza, during which Force India's assets will be present under Italian jurisdiction, could trigger further exchanges of action between the two parties,” warner Aerolab, hinting that they might issue a legal action of their own against Force India during the upcoming Italian Grand Prix, at Monza (September 10-12).

The war between the two organizations started out late last year, when Force India accused Aerolab – and even threatened to issue legal actions against them – of delivering wind tunnel data of their 2009-spec car to their new partners Lotus F1 Racing.

Needless to say, the Italians denied the whole thing, while also proceeding to some actions of their own against Force India. It seems Vijay Mallya's team has forgotten to pay more than EUR1 million (1,074,730 to be more precise) to Aerolab during their partnership, which ended in 2009. According to Aerolab, Force India has already been forced to pay that sum of money, plus damages and an 8 percent interest rate for the months that have passed since the termination of their contract until now.

The only thing we can say is that the saga will probably continue throughout the course of this year, in case one of those two parties won't find it in its heart to take a step backwards and settle for some kind of an agreement.