Force India boss hopes to decide on 2012 drivers ahead of Abu Dhabi GP
Last Updated: October 29, 2011 4:06pm
Mallya: Says he will decide on 2012 driver line-up soon
Force India owner and team principal Vijay Mallya has promised to make a decision on his 2012 driver line-up in the next fortnight.
Mallya had initially suggested he would not make an announcement until after the FIA gala dinner in New Delhi in early December.
However, Mallya has now bowed to pressure and confirmed he will not leave drivers Paul di Resta, Adrian Sutil and Nico Hulkenberg hanging on for too much longer.
"I made it very clear I would decide by December, however, I have since been requested to decide earlier," said Mallya.
"So I will respect that need and take an early decision. That's all I can say.
"But all three drivers are very much in contention, and they are three top-class drivers as far as I am concerned.
"But only two can sit in the car, so it is going to be a difficult one for me, I know that, but I will respect their needs and decide earlier."
Asked whether that would be before the next race in Abu Dhabi on November 13, Mallya replied: "I would expect so."
So far this season Di Resta has the edge in qualifying, outscoring Sutil nine to eight, although the German has scored more points - 28 to 21.
Encouraging
Meanwhile, reserve driver Hulkenberg has performed strongly in the practice sessions he has taken part in.
Despite an encouraging rookie season at Williams, Hulkenberg was replaced by pay driver Pastor Maldonado at the end of 2010 - an option Mallya said he would not consider.
"We don't need pay drivers," he added.
"We never have had that need, and we certainly don't want to sell a seat in the car. We want performance.
"Since announcing the deal with the Sahara Group, who have brought 100million dollars (£62million) into the team, their expectation, as is mine, is that we will judiciously use that money to ensure the team performance improves.
"The driver is very much part of the improvement of team performance as well."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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