Pirelli names Sutil, Kobayashi as F1 tester candidates
Photo by: XPB Images
Paul Hembery has named a trio of potential candidates to be F1 tyre supplier Pirelli's test driver in 2013.
The Briton, who is the head of the Italian marque's F1 programme, confirmed that Brazilian Lucas di Grassi's testing contract runs to the end of next year.
"Lucas does a great job for us. After next year his continuation depends on our decision to stay or not in 2013," Hembery told Brazil's Totalrace.
"In addition to Lucas, we are evaluating other names in the market like (Adrian) Sutil and Alguersuari."
German Sutil, however, clearly has plans to race next year. After a season on the bench in 2012, the former Force India driver has updated his official website with the words 'Next destination: Australia'.
What about Kamui Kobayashi? According to strong rumours, the Japanese could be replaced at Sauber by the Telmex-backed Esteban Gutierrez, or the impressive rookie Dutchman Robin Frijns.
"It's a possibility," said Hembery. "We'll see what happens with him (Kobayashi). I imagine he's still trying to get a (race) seat, so we'll wait."
Hembery had even recently mentioned Michael Schumacher's name as a possible Pirelli tester.
"I tried in Japan to convince him," he smiled, "but it didn't work. I think he wants to go skydiving or something!"
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