Sutil, di Resta and Hulkenberg - Force India drivers’ line-up
Finally, after a long wait, Vijay Mallya’s Force India has officially declared its drivers’ line-up. The German racer Adrian Sutil and the team’s reserve driver for last season, Paul di Resta will take the main drivers’ seats, while Nico Hulkenberg will
be test driving for the 2011 season.
After weeks of speculation, the team revealed its decision this Wednesday. Force India Team boss, Mallya was delighted to confirm the new team structure believing that the team will be seen far stronger on the 2011 tracks than ever before.
The German driver, Sutil will be seen with the team for a fifth consecutive season now. Over the years he has grown along with the team, and the last season proved to be the best one in his career. His spectacular race weekends, earned him 47 points and
11th place finish in the drivers’ standings, securing his seat in the team for another season.
While talking to the media earlier today the driver stated, “I made my F1 debut with the team back in 2007 and we've worked together since then, so to stay for another year here feels very right… We've made some good progress together over the past four
years and I'm excited to be part of the team when it takes the next step, which is hopefully to become a front running team.”
Di Resta has also earned the team’s seat with immense hard work. He has made a good reputation for himself in the team in 2010 by giving strong performances as a test and reserve driver along with his recent DTM title victory. This season is going to see
the driver for the first time in a Formula One car as a main driver but Mallya believes that he is an asset for the Indian squad. Expressing his joy at the team’s decision, di Resta stated, “Naturally I am thrilled to be making my race debut this season. Becoming
an F1 driver has been a long-held ambition of mine, something I've wanted to do since I first stepped into a kart, and to finally realise it feels amazing… I can't wait to be on the grid in Bahrain, it can't come soon enough.”
Last year’s Williams’ driver, Hulkenberg, who honoured the team with a sole pole position of the year, will join Force India as a test driver this season. Although the young German was expecting a better role in the series, yet he is thankful to Mallya for
helping him stay in the sport. The 23-year-old gave some brilliant performances last season and is considered among the future stars of the world’s highest ranked auto series.
Hulkenberg told the media this Wednesday, right after the announcement of the drivers’ line-up, “I am happy I can stay in F1 in 2011.” He further added that he is looking forward to working with a team that is growing stronger every passing year. He said
that he is certain that in a few more years Force India will be able to compete with the best teams on the grid. Nico further expressed his gratitude to the team management for having faith in him and providing him another chance to prove his talent. He concluded
saying that his goal for this season is to perform good enough to secure a main driver’s seat in 2012.
Finally, Dr Vijay Mallya, one of the richest men in India and the owner of Kingfisher Airlines proclaimed that he is genuinely excited by the new drivers’ combination. He believes that together they make a ‘formidable partnership,’ capable of taking the
team to new heights.
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