Three into two does not go: who will be driving for Force India next year? (Left to right:) Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg - Photo Credit: Sahara Force India F1 Team
The BBC are today reporting that Paul di Resta will remain at Force India for the 2012 season, and is likely to be partnered by current test and reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg.
Team principal Vijay Mallya was planning to delay announcing his driver line-up for next season until December, but Adrian Sutil had requested that the decision be brought forward. Mallya has agreed to this request, and is expect to confirm the driver line-up next week.
Autosport also expect both Di Resta and Hulkenberg to be confirmed as the team’s drivers for next season, although Mallya has insisted that no decisions have yet been made.
“All three drivers are there and all three are very much in contention, three top class drivers as far as I am concerned,” Mallya told Autosport. “But only two can sit in the car, so that is going to be a difficult one for me. I know that, but I will respect their needs and decide earlier.”
If the announcement is as expected, this leaves Adrian Sutil looking for another drive. The German has been linked with Williams, but they would probably opt for former world champion Kimi Raikkonen if the Finn is prepared to sign a contract. Speaking to the BBC earlier today, Sutil said that he fully expect to remain within Formula 1 next season:
“I will have to see what happens,” he said. “It’s good that he [Mallya] is trying to give us more answers earlier because you never want to wait so long… There’s not so much I can say right now but yes, I see myself in Formula 1 absolutely.”
