Vijay whips up a storm - off track Just another poker move?

Vijay Mallya is more than just a familiar face around the paddock these days. As the team principal of the Force India team and a man full of racing passion, the Indian billionaire is accepted amongst the Formula One community as one of the boys. Well, more or less. The team's having a few teething problems, and it has been known more for the poker games that go on amongst the drivers on the second floor of its three-floor motor home than for its results on the track. That may end this year as it starts life anew with the Mercedes engine.

But out in the real world, Vijay has shown that if money alone could buy victory, then he'd have been a front runner long ago. He's on the front pages today for having b

But here's the interesting part: This appears not just to be an out-of-place splurge, a show of excess in these troubled times - when displays of wealth are frowned upon - but rather a move by Vijay to return the objects to India as part of a national treasure. (A suivre . as the French say, meaning, watch this space .) It kind of reminds me of the way Vijay saved the Spyker cum Midland cum Jordan team. Well, maybe not exactly. Most interesting, though.

Nevertheless, I will take a very close look at his glasses next time I see him playing poker with the drivers. And I have a suspicion that he may have bought Gandhi's glasses in order not to fall into the same trap he did last year while wearing