One of the most popular talking points of the Formula 1 off-season, and one of the most intriguing unknowns for the 2009 season, is Force India. The reason is obvious: they’ve struck an engine and technology deal with Mercedes and McLaren, which could push them up the grid.

The deal itself is intriguing, as the relationship is similar, but very different, to others in the paddock. Consider Toro Rosso as a comparison. Force India’s new deal is far more than Toro Rosso’s engine supply deal with Ferrari; it’s more like Toro Rosso’s relationship with Red Bull Racing, in that their car shares certain elements. But it’s also the inverse of that relationship: Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing share a chassis, but have different innards (for want of a less stupid term); Force India will build its own chassis, but take much of the car’s innards from McLaren and Mercedes.

But it goes further than that, because the deal is a ‘technical partnership’. One of the ways that’s manifested itself so far is in McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa testing the Force India car. Further, McLaren will be offering advice on the likes of driver choice. Put these two together, and you get an F1 rumour.

Force India’s drivers are confirmed for 2009, however, and both Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella insist that they are not worried about the possibility of de la Rosa replacing them. For what it’s worth, I think Sutil is right not to be worried: he has a lot of future potential, and is probably one to keep. As for Fisichella, well, from the point of view of developing the car, I think swapping him for de la Rosa would be a most beneficial move. Neither Fisichella nor de la Rosa is going to be world champion, so the selling point for both of them is experience – and you’d have to think that de la Rosa’s experience is going to be more helpful.

But where is all this going to put Force India next year?

Back to Toro Rosso first. The team surprised many this year, thanks to the inexpensive combination of a good chassis from Red Bull Technology, a good engine from Ferrari, and a good driver in Sebastian Vettel. The team recently parted company with Gerhard Berger, who said that as a small team, Toro Rosso will lose ground next year because of the rule changes. With the same strategy of getting bits from various reputable sources, I’m not sure that’s necessarily true. But of course putting them all together is not a trivial matter, and with Red Bull Racing the drinks company’s main focus, little Toro Rosso could get a bit lost – especially without Berger pushing things forward.

What’s probably safe to say is that a completely independent Force India would have struggled massively next year. The big question is whether their chassis will be good enough – and more importantly be sufficiently in harmony with their brand new innards – to move them much up the grid. Someone like Pedro de la Rosa might make things a bit easier…