Mallya takes the helm at Force India

Force India owner Vijay Mallya terminated his Formula One team's Ferrari engine contract a year early last weekend while ousting Colin Kolles as principal and Mike Gascoyne as technical head.

In a major management shake-up, after the team failed to score a point and finished 10th in the constructors' championship this year, Force India paved the way for the arrival of Mercedes engines and closer links with McLaren.

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

"Dr Vijay Mallya will assume the responsibilities of team principal in addition to his position as chairman.

"As a result of the restructure, Colin Kolles, Mike Gascoyne and Patrick Missling, formerly corporate and business director, will no longer form a direct part of the team's design, manufacture, race and test operations."

Mallya, who bought the Spyker team last year and renamed it, said he had been forced to act.

"Force India is my most difficult project to date and it has become clear that it requires more direct input from my side and greater performance accountability," said the aviation and drinks billionaire.