Photo by: XPB Images
Oct.12 (GMM) As Sebastian Vettel drinks in his unprecedented success, two of his German countrymen are hoping simply for a place on the 2012 grid.
Adrian Sutil has been with Force India since the Silverstone based team's Spyker days, but speculation is mounting that Vijay Mallya is planning to pair Paul di Resta with Nico Hulkenberg next year.
"I still have no contract (for 2012)," the German newsmagazine Focus quotes the 28-year-old as saying this week.
"For sure we'll have a meeting soon," Sutil, referring to his boss Mallya, told the BBC last weekend at Suzuka. "I'll ask his opinion about next year and hopefully he'll give me a sign."
Mallya said he will not make a decision until December, but Sutil said the end of the year "is a little late because normally all the other seats are taken".
Already absent from the grid in 2011 is Nick Heidfeld, who recently lost his Renault race seat to Bruno Senna.
Reports have linked the veteran of 183 grands prix with a BMW reunion in the German touring car series for 2012.
"I am in contact with the DTM teams," the 34-year-old confirmed, "but my focus at the moment stays in formula one."
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
New all-electric Formula G series to begin in 2024 with radical format
The brief F1 pairing that brought “fun” to Sauber
Heidfeld: Rallycross debut a tough challenge, but keen for more
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Perez: Force India money woes "evident on day one"
The car that truly kick-started F1's favourite giantkiller
Mercedes joins Williams and RB with 'quick and cheap' F1 cockpit airflow upgrades
Alpine gets F1 spare car for first time as lighter chassis appears
Supercars Taupo: Mostert leads Ford 1-2-3 in opening practice
F1 Chinese GP: Stroll leads FP1 as small fire causes early red flag
Why F1 2026 worst-case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
What the Chinese GP's highlights reveal about its first F1 race for five years
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments