Belgium podium on par with IPL final: Mallya

Force India chairman Vijay Mallya said the outfit`s maiden podium finish in Belgian Grand Prix would rank alongside Royal Challengers` final appearance in the Indian Premier League II as two of his best sporting moments.

New Delhi: Force India chairman Vijay Mallya said the outfit`s maiden podium finish in Belgian Grand Prix would rank alongside Royal Challengers Bangalore`s final appearance in the Indian Premier League II as two of his best sporting moments.

There is an uncanny similarity between Force India and BRC, both owned by the liquor baron, as both the outfits pulled off huge surprises in their fairytale second season to silence the critics. "I think the podium finish and getting into the finals of the IPL cricket are two sporting moments that I will never forget," an elated Mallya said, drawing a comparison between the two achievements.While Force India had the backmarker`s tag hanging around its neck after failing to score a single point in 2008, RCB were the laggards of the inaugural IPL, finishing second last. Even the staunchest supporter of both the outfits did not give them a chance but both went on to pull off surprises, with RCB reaching the final of the IPL II in South Africa and Giancarlo Fisichella notching up Force India`s first podium finish at Spa-Francorchamps. The podium finish in Belgium ended Force India`s dry run on Formula One circuit and Mallya admitted his heart was pounding towards the end. Bureau Report