Vijay Mallya makes rare public appearance in Silverstone

Embattled Indian business tycoon Vijay Mallya today made a rare public appearance in the United Kingdom as he attended the Free Practice sessions ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix, here.

Silverstone: Embattled Indian business tycoon Vijay Mallya on Friday made a rare public appearance in the United Kingdom as he attended the Free Practice sessions ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix, here.

Mallya, who has been in the UK since March, has been declared a 'proclaimed offender' by a special court in a money laundering case back home. The creditors in India have also been trying to recover dues of Rs 9000 crore owed by his long-grounded Kingfisher Airlines.

"He had a good look at the practice sessions and also spoke to the drivers," a team source told PTI.

It is the first time this season that Force India boss is attending an F1 race. It is home race for the team as its factory is stone's throw away from the circuit.

Mallya may be enduring tough times personally but his team has savoured two podium finishes this season. Sergio Perez had finished third both in Monaco and Baku.

Force India, who had a forgettable last race in Austria with both cars retiring mid-way into the race, remain in the fifth place with 59 points.