Bob Fernley backed Force India owner Vijay Mallya, acting as the Indian businessman’s on-track representative and mediator. Aston Martin and Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali paid tribute to Fernley on Friday
9:22, UK, Saturday 1 July 2023
Former Force India deputy team boss Bob Fernley has died aged 70.
Formula 1 and Aston Martin, the current version of the Force India team, confirmed his death on Friday night.
Fernley backed Force India owner Vijay Mallya, acting as the Indian businessman’s on-track representative and mediator.
“Today we were saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague Bob Fernley,” Aston Martin said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are all with his family and friends at this time.”
Force India went bankrupt in 2018 and its assets were sold to Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, with the Silverstone-based team competing first as Racing Point and now Aston Martin.
Fernley then led McLaren’s IndyCar project and headed the ruling FIA’s Formula One Commission from 2020 to 2022, where he succeeded current Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali.
“I am saddened by the news that Bob Fernley has passed away,” Domenicali said.
“He was such an important part of Formula 1 and his love and passion for the sport will live on forever.”
“My thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Mallya, who remains in the UK despite Indian extradition efforts following the collapse of his defunct Kingfisher Airlines, said he was “completely devastated at the loss of my best friend of 45 years”.
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”