F1’s Mallya to join football foray

(GMM) Another formula one luminary looks set to get behind the London football club Queens Park Rangers.

Bought in August last year by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and Renault's Flavio Briatore, QPR could now be set to welcome a new chief backer — Force India's billionaire mogul, Vijay Mallya.

The British newspaper The Daily Mail reports that the club is close to agreeing a five-year $35 million shirt sponsorship deal, and a naming rights deal for the Loftus Road stadium, to be named after Mallya's Kingfisher brand.

With Briton Ecclestone and 20 per cent owner Lakshmi Mittal, Indian countryman Mallya would be the third billionaire involved with Queens Park Rangers.

An announcement about Mallya's involvement is expected as early as next week.