Mallya to Bring Forward Sutil Decision Amid Force India Uncertainty
Force India owner Vijay Mallya says Adrian Sutil will receive clarity on his 2012 Formula One seat ahead of the previously planned December announcement, as speculation mounts over Nico Hülkenberg's promotion.
Force India owner Vijay Mallya has told Adrian Sutil he will be informed of the team’s 2012 Formula One driver decision ahead of the previously planned December timeline, following increased speculation that Nico Hülkenberg could be promoted to a race seat.
Sutil, who has raced for the Silverstone-based team since its Spyker days, faces uncertainty over his place alongside Paul di Resta. Hülkenberg, who served as Force India’s reserve and Friday practice driver in 2011, is widely expected to step up after a year out of race action, intensifying pressure on Sutil’s position.
Mallya had previously stated that Force India would only confirm its 2012 line-up in mid-December. However, after Sutil expressed concern about the delay and mounting speculation, Mallya said Sutil would be told of the decision before any public announcement. Mallya maintained that he speaks to his drivers before the media, and indicated he would accommodate Sutil’s request for an earlier answer.
Sutil and Hülkenberg: the race for the seat
The battle for the second Force India seat has been one of the most closely watched stories in the 2012 driver market. Sutil finished the 2011 season with a strong run of results, including sixth place at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, but Hülkenberg’s reputation and the team’s desire to refresh its line-up have kept the outcome in question.
Force India’s decision will have implications for both drivers’ careers. Sutil, who has spent his entire F1 career with the team and its predecessors, could be left seeking a seat elsewhere if overlooked. Hülkenberg, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the most promising young drivers not already in a race seat, having previously impressed at Williams in 2010.
What happens next
Mallya’s commitment to inform Sutil directly gives the German driver clarity on his future before the team’s official announcement. The timing of the decision could affect Sutil’s chances of securing a seat elsewhere should Force India opt for Hülkenberg. The team’s final line-up is expected to be confirmed publicly in December, but Sutil will now know his fate sooner.
For more on the Sutil-Hülkenberg contest for the Force India seat, see our coverage here:Sutil and Hülkenberg Compete for 2012 Force India Race Seat
