Vijay Mallya reckons the ban on traction control in 2008 will play into Force India’s hands as it will allow its two drivers to make more of a difference to its performance.

The outlawing of the driver aid for this year has provoked much debate in the off-season, with drivers expecting a more challenging campaign on track.

Force India’s owner believes that both new signing Giancarlo Fisichella and team-mate Adrian Sutil have the ability to take advantage of the change.

“The removal of traction control is going too mean there’s a lot more in the hands of the driver, and that’s where I think we are going to perform well,” he said during the team’s press conference in India on Thursday.

“Driver talent will come to the fore; Giancarlo is extremely experienced and he knows what to do.

“What impressed me most about Adrian was when he scored his first point in the Japanese Grand Prix: when you’re quick in the wet it shows a lot.”

Fisichella and Sutil agreed that F1’s move away from traction control would create more enjoyment for the drivers.

“I think it’s good for us [Force India] especially, but also for the drivers’ side,” Fisichella said.

“I drove for two days in Jerez without all the electronic stuff and I enjoyed it - it was much more difficult but more human.

“It’s easy to make mistakes, difficult to save the tyres, and the stability under braking is much more difficult.”

His young German team-mate added that despite enjoying racing with traction control in his rookie year, the ban increased the challenge for drivers and excitement for fans.

“I am quite happy that we banned the TC,” he said.

“I drove one year with it, and I enjoyed it.

“But you can feel the race car much more now without the TC, and it’s much more fun to drive. Also on the braking it’s much more difficult to control the back end.

“Also the start will be more exciting - much more wheelspin and smoke - so it will be better for everyone.”