Force India decision due imminently

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Date: 25th February 2013 at 8:42am
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Force India are set to confirm their driver line-up for the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship before the next test in Barcelona.

Force India are the only team on the grid who are yet to confirm their two drivers for the new season, following Nico Hulkenburg’s decision to leave the team for Sauber this season.

At last weeks test in Barcelona, Force India handed over the car to Paul Di Resta, Jules Bianchi and Adrian Sutil.

The 30-year-old German Sutil has had a long association with Force India, having previously been with the team between 2006 and 2012.

He lost his seat to Nico Hulkenberg for last season, a move that made sense at the time as Hulkenburg was an upcoming young driver who had been impressing everyone, whilst Sutil was grabbing more headlines off the track than on it after he attacked Lotus team co-owner Eric Lux with a champagne glass during a fight in a Shanghai nightclub following the 2011 Chinese Grand Prix.

The German driver was later found guilty of bodily harm and was given an 18-month suspended sentence and fined 200,000 euros.

But his test last week could signify his return to Formula One.

‘I’ve spent six years with this team including the year as a test driver. They gave me the chance to come into F1 in 2007 and they gave me the chance to come back for this test. I’m very thankful for this possibility and I just wish that it goes on – and on and on.’ Sutil told formula1.com.

‘The team had a very strong finish last season. As I did not drive last year?s car it’s hard to compare for me. But I’m convinced that Sahara Force India will also have a strong and competitive package for this season and my hope, of course, is that I can be with them to prove it.

Rumours in the paddock suggest that the decision for Force India is a two horse race between Sutil and Jules Bianchi.

The recent test in Barcelona did little to prove otherwise with both drivers getting the chance to test the new car alongside Paul Di Resta who is the only confirmed driver at Force India in 2013.

‘this is Formula One so it is natural that there are so many rumours around. To be honest I focus on driving. My relationship with Mercedes has always been good and hopefully they are heavily interested in having me in the car this season.

‘My understanding is that the test next week in Barcelona will definitely feature both drivers from Force India?s 2013 driver line-up. he concluded.