Earlier this month, Mallya announced the launch of the Force India F1 Team Academy - an initiative aimed at identifying racing talent in India and providing vocational and academic training for young Indians aspiring to a serious professional career in motorsports.

The not-for-profit initiative, which is based in India, is devoting itself to three key areas: Identifying and nurturing racing talent in India, providing vocational training for a career in motor sport or related industries and providing specialised academic courses/programmes related to the field of motorsports.

"The setting up of the Force India F1 Team Academy is a historic milestone in the sports arena in India," said Mallya when announcing the initiative, "especially since it marks the first time ever that anyone has embarked on such an ambitious programme to create a pool of talent and groom aspirants who show exceptional promise by providing them the necessary corporate funding and support backed with a crystal-clear professional career path in motorsport so that one day, they can go on to represent India in the international arena and hopefully bring glory to the nation."

This weekend, the Academy burst into action as open trials got underway in the city of Mumbai. Decked out in specially branded Force India suits and helmets, the competitors were each given four flying laps in which to set a competitive time.

The trials continued over the weekend and competition was fierce with the top racers separated by fractions of a second. All are competing for a place in the national final in September when the final ten will be invited to Silverstone for further tuition and evaluation in the grand finale.

The next stop for the regional trials will be Goa from May 4 - 8 when the next bunch of hopefuls will get the chance to take a step closer to realising their F1 dreams.