Force India confirms seat fitting for Sutil

14/02/2013

Force India has confirmed reports that Adrian Sutil has had a seat fitting, though the Silverstone-based outfit refuses to confirm the German will take part in next week's pre-season test at Barcelona.

Following earlier claims that Sutil - who drove for the team for four seasons between 2008 and 2011, and one season as Spyker - has visited the team's Silverstone HQ for a seat fitting, a spokesperson admitted: "Adrian has had a seat-fit with the team this week".

However, asked whether the German will be in action in the VJM06 next week, the spokesperson added: "At this stage the test driving schedule for the Barcelona test is not finalised, but there is a possibility Adrian could be involved. The driving schedule will be communicated on Monday next week."

With Paul di Resta being the only driver on duty at the car's launch earlier this month, the Scot was joined by James Rossiter and Jules Bianchi, the other hopeful for the seat, at Jerez last week.

In December, Sutil, who was fined 200,000 euros and handed an 18-month suspended sentence following his conviction for GBH, declared that the conviction would not prevent him returning to F1.

"We checked of course," he told the Race of Champions website, "me and my management - we checked all the countries and there's no problem for me to travel, so that's why I'm here in Bangkok without any trouble! So all the problems I had last winter are solved, it's a new beginning."

Asked about the speculation linking him his old team, he insisted that despite all the talk nothing had been finalised. "Once I've got the signature! It's the signature is what counts," he said.

"They know who I am," he continued, "they know how to work with me so in the last five years we've got a lot of experience. There's nothing too much to say, it's all up to Vijay; it's Vijay's decision and hopefully he will make the right one so that I am in the car!

"Five years I was in this team so they know how good I am, they know my qualities," he continued, "so I'm not the one who has gone to this team and said 'please, please give me the drive', I think they also should come to me and say 'Yes, we want you' and that's a good base. So I want to drive for this team but they should also want me as a driver, so that's why I'm quite relaxed. I know how to handle this situation; I did the maximum I could do at the moment and now it's all up to them to decide if I'm in the seat or not."

Whether he's in the seat remains to be seen, however, we now know he's been fitted for it.