Saturday February 23, 2013
Sutil: I’ve done all I can for Force India nod
BARCELONA: Adrian Sutil insists he will not be losing sleep over his Formula One fate as Force India decide whether to award the championship’s final available drive to him or French rookie Jules Bianchi.
The 30-year-old Sutil lost his seat to Nico Hulkenberg after the 2011 season, but is back in contention with his fellow German now at Sauber and with Force India still having only confirmed Paul di Resta for the 2013 season which starts on March 17.
“This team knows me well because I spent six years with them,” said Sutil, after clocking the eighth-fastest time in testing on Thursday.
“I wanted to show them that I am still quick and that was very important. I can sleep peacefully. I have done all I can to get back into F1. I don’t know who is the favourite for the drive, it’s up to the Force India shareholders to decide.”
Sutil admitted that prowess on the track will not be the only criteria when Force India make their decision with a driver’s ability to bring sponsorship to the team deemed equally crucial.
“It has to be something else otherwise they would have confirmed a driver in plenty of time for the first test (in Jerez in February),” he said.
“There is some business behind it. It can’t take long anymore as in three weeks there is a race.”
Earlier, Force India deputy team principal, Bob Fernley, revealed that both Sutil and Bianchi will be given equal opportunity to prove their worth.
“We’re giving everyone the amount of mileage they need. We’ll try and get all the information we’ve been collecting to the shareholders this weekend and then it’s their decision,” said Fernley.
Di Resta says his only wish is that his team choose a driver capable of moving the team forward.
“I know both very well. They’re both good people and they’ve both been part of the team for a long time,” said the Scot. “I’m very supportive of whoever it might be as long as they’re pushing me on and they’re a team player; that’s the important part.” — AFP
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