Adrian Sutil

[Ian]

2nd chance eh.

http://www.indiatimes.com/sports/motorsport/adrian-sutil-takes-force-indias-2nd-seat-61841.html

[Scott]

Wow - big second chance.  Hope he'll keep his hands in his pockets when he's out for a drink this season 

[Ian]

Just like you Scott.       

[Scott]

That's something else entirely Ian   

[F1fanaticBD]

Adrian Sutil will have a shoot out style recruitment from Force India F1 racing team with Jules Bianchi as the competitor. I think it is yet to be declared that he is their second driver.

[Williamsfan]

Seems odd in this progressive world of F1 that Force India have gone back for Sutil.  It is nice but it begs the question of what did some of last year's drivers have to do.  I guess a combination of Sutil's sponsorship and track record goes for him.

[Irisado]

I was pretty surprised when he was dropped in the first place, even though Hulkenburg was an excellent replacement.  I think that it had a lot more to do with Sutil's off track activities than it did with his on track performance.

[John S]

I think Di Resta has not stepped up to the plate, Hulk got the better of him in the second half of the season so the team can't rely on Paul to carry the team into a decent money paying place by seasons end.
Taking Sutil back will both bring extra cash from sponsors and pretty much guarantee a good payout from FOM for this year.
Bianchi probably needs to bring double Adrian's sponsor money at least to get the drive, unless FIF1 needs Ferrari's help in the new turbo power era - in which case all bets are off. 

[Williamsfan]

Interestingly Ferrari have started making noises about the benefits of having another customer team so I do wonder if Bianchi is now more likely, perhaps he was being compared directly against Sutil this week to see what level he is actually at compared to a known quantity.

[vintly]

It looks like Sutil has the Force India seat. German speakers will know more than me!

Easy on the GBH this time round Adrian!

http://sportbild.bild.de/SPORT/formel-1/2013/02/27/adrian-sutil/perfekt-rueckkehr-in-die-formel-1.html

[cosworth151]

It also suggests that the choice of Sutil over Bianchi was, at least in part, because Merc gave them a better price on engines than Ferrari.

In any case, I'm glad to see him back.

[John S]

Although it may well be true Sutil's own management are not confirming this story, here is a few sentences from a report on Nextgen-auto.com today about this story.

"Sutil was in the McLaren simulator yesterday," read the Sport Bild report. "As of Thursday, he will be in action for the last pre-season test in Barcelona.

"On 17 March in Australia, he will race a grand prix for the first time since Brazil 2011," added the report by Bianca Garloff and Ralf Bach.

Sutil’s manager Manfred Zimmermann denied the report.

"Nothing has been finalised yet," he is quoted by the German news agency SID.

"We are still hoping and waiting for a confirmation."

[vintly]

I'm not glad to see him back. What can he bring that Di Resta can't? I think new blood would have been worth the risk, potentially providing more points. I'm watching him being interviewed, he says he's there on merit. Ok he just beat Di Resta 60/40 on points in 2011 - does that merit another shot?

Dull dull dull, Force India treading water.

[John S]

I think with the Hulk getting the upper hand on Paul last year it's going to be mighty interesting. I think Di Resta has now only this season to prove himself worthy of a top running car to stand any chance of a top 4 team drive. For my money Di Resta has not shown enough, in some races last year the Hulk was battling at the front and Paul was midfield or worse, I'm not convinced Paul has that extra bit that makes an F1 winner.

Whilst Adrian may not be championship material either he is a seasoned F1 racer, I think FIF1 are looking for money from their team finishing place at seasons end rather than sponsor/Engine favours.

 

[Ian]

What could also be interesting is that there is no love whatsoever between Sutil and Hamilton, Sutil is still mad at Lewis for not backing him up over his GBH trial. Sutil's actual words were..."We have no relationship, I will meet up with him, but I don't know what will happen."