Adrian Sutil Q&A: More than one option for 2012
With 2012 race seats filling up fast, Adrian Sutil must feel under pressure to secure his Formula One future. His recent run of strong drives with Force India will doubtless help his cause and he hopes to have things sorted in the next couple of weeks. Will he stay put? Could he be Williams-bound to partner Pastor Maldonado? Or could he prove the ideal partner for a returning Kimi Raikkonen at Renault? We spoke exclusively to the German driver…
Q: Adrian, at the last three races your performance literally exploded, creating the perfect platform for negotiations about your future in Formula One…
Adrian Sutil: To be honest, I delivered great performances at my last 10 races, but obviously the last three are still more current to the onlooker. For sure, these results make things easier for me and my manager to sort out the future. (laughs)
Q: On the flip side, it’s a bit strange that you have delivered the best season of your career and yet have no confirmed drive for 2012. Isn’t that absurd?AS: Yes, I totally agree. But that’s life in Formula One and you have to deal with it. But it doesn’t look too bad for 2012 - let’s see what will happen.
Q: You had hoped that there would be a decision made before December. What is state of affairs right now?
AS: Right now we do have more than one option and we are trying to put the best package together for next year. Hopefully we will have a decision within the next two weeks.
Q: You have never made a secret of the fact that you would like to stay with Force India - especially now, with the team’s and the car’s recent improvement. So leaving would probably be pretty hard …
AS: As I said, we do have more than one option…
Q: Looking at the FIA entry list released this week, there are now nine seats supposedly available, but only three teams would ultimately meet your requirements: Force India, Williams or Renault. Or would you exclude any of these teams?
AS: I guess we all know that sometimes the first entry list is not the last…
Q: The rumour was that your fate could be directly connected to Kimi Raikkonen’s decision. Now he has settled his future, what are the consequences for you?
AS: No consequences for me at all.
Q: Were you surprised by his move to Renault? All the previous stories linked him to Williams…
AS: No, for us it wasn’t a big surprise.
Q: Kimi hasn’t been in an F1 car for two years and things have changed significantly in that time, notably the tyres. Some have suggested he could use a strong and experienced team mate for the first year - could that be you?AS: I always said I’m happy to have the best team mate I can get, as this is the only chance to show how good you are - and Kimi would be a great and very strong team mate…
Q: If you could post a wish to Santa Claus, what would it be?AS: To get a car that gives me the chance to fight for my first podium or win! Santa Claus, do you hear me? (laughs)
Credit: Formula One Administration Ltd (www.formula1.com)
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