Force India considering engine switch to help ride-buyer?

(GMM) Force India may be considering a change of customer engine supplier for the 2009 season, according to reports.

The Silverstone based team, having changed ownership prior to the start of this season, is currently powered by Ferrari's 2.4 liter V8s.

But according to the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell, meetings may already have taken place – in the Montreal paddock earlier this month – between Force India and Honda chiefs.

Force India is contractually bound to the Ferrari deal, but it is suggested that the Vijay Mallya-owned squad is interested in Honda's offer of engines plus its KERS system at a lower price.

Rumors have abounded since the collapse of the Honda satellite Super Aguri this year that Honda is still keen to expand its F1 presence beyond the Brackley based works team.

Motorsport Aktuell claims that Honda is offering its engine-KERS package to Force India for a price 10 million euros per season lower than the Ferrari deal, as long as ride-buyer Takuma Sato is accommodated for a race seat.

Force India has reportedly not yet taken a decision.