Adrian Sutil: The unlikely Formula One driver
Quite at variance with the story of most of his colleagues, Adrian Sutil did not see race driving as a probable vocation till the relatively old age of 14. Born on January 11th, 1983 in Starnberg, Germany to a renowned Uruguayan musician, Sutil was inclined from a very young age to follow the example of his father and take up the job of a concert pianist. However, the young Germans' career inclinations took a dramatic turn when at 14, he incidentally uncovered a fondness for kart racing.
After casting a mark at several local kart racing competitions, Sutil proceeded to contest the sport at the national level where he managed to clinch the third spot in the German championship at the age of 17. The following year, Sutil advanced to the European championship, only to recognise that his newest challenge centred on a formidable uphill struggle. Yet the German’s resolve to reach greater heights merely strengthened, and to minimise any further upsets, Sutil determined to switch to single-seater racing for the 2002 season.
Embarking on a run in the Swiss Formula Ford series, Sutil soon established his authority with flair after triumphing at all ten of the tournament’s phases. The success-thirsty German also notched up five wins at the Austrian Formula Masters contest the same year. In 2003, Sutil travelled back to Germany to compete at the country’s Formula BMW series. Although he fell short of a race victory, Sutil nevertheless managed to secure three podium positions before ending sixth in the overall rankings. The German’s performances were solid enough to win him a drive in the much sought-after F3 Euroseries for the coming 2004 season.
Teaming himself with Colin Kolles’ squad, Sutil set about on what would turn out to be a highly profitable journey for both parties. Yet, the German’s bursting desire remained unabated still. Putting his favourable ties with Kolles at stake, Sutil pondered on an adventurous move to the stronger ASM group where he was paired alongside Englishman Lewis Hamilton. It was a drive the German managed to reserve for the following 2005 competition, when he was once more coupled with Lewis Hamilton.
Although Sutil was persistently overshadowed by Hamilton, the German was not too far behind the Englishman and ended the year as runner-up after booking two victories. With the patronage of his former employer and current Midland squad principle, Sutil was able to land a test drive deal with the Midland team for the 2006 season. Although the German was treated to several lucrative outings with the team at the year’s French, Japanese and the European events, he was resolutely conscious of the need to keep his skills up to the mark and decided to contest the F3 championship in Japan side by side.
The German’s stint at the Japanese championship proved to be a sensible move that bore fruit in the form of his very initial title victory. The win was crucial to the strengthening of Sutil’s conviction and self-belief and would also earn him his very first Formula One race drive for the 2007 season.
Impressed by Sutil’s exploits at the Japanese championship, the Spyker-formerly Midland- management elevated the German to the position of a first-choice racer for the squad. Sutil overcame the odds by defying the obstacles posed by a rather inferior car and his relative inexperience to produce some significantly solid results at the years Monaco and Japanese events.
Sutil’s services were re-enlisted when Force India purchased the Spyker enterprise the following year. Throughout the 2008 season, the German proved to be more than a match for his highly experienced teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella. Sutil managed several assured performances for the team in spite of the hindrance posed by the incompetence of the Force India car. The German has chosen to retain his loyalties with the squad which has since subjected its machine to a number of technical upgrades. Sutil currently stands 10th in the driver rankings behind fellow compatriot and Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher.
Tags: