Official: Sutil to partner di Resta

28/02/2013

After months of speculation, Sahara Force India has officially announced that Adrian Sutil will complete its driver line-up for the 2013 season.

The 30-year-old German will race alongside Paul Di Resta, recreating the successful partnership that raced together during the 2011 season.

The 2013 campaign will be Sutil's fifth racing season in the colours of Sahara Force India and his sixth year of Formula One competition.

Sutil will test for the team this week in Barcelona, driving on Friday and Saturday. Paul Di Resta will be back in the car on Sunday.

"The decision over our driver line-up has not been an easy one and we have given it great consideration over the last few months," said Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director. "It was a close call, but ultimately we felt that Adrian's experience and historic links to the team gave him the edge, and will provide us with the best possible chance of realising our ambitions for the coming season. If he can rediscover the exceptional form he showed in the second half of 2011, I'm confident that we can pick up where we left off at the end of 2012. As for Jules Bianchi, he has impressed us enormously with his speed and work ethic, and I'm hopeful we can continue working with him this year to help him develop into a future Grand Prix driver."

"I'm delighted to be back in Formula One," added Sutil, "especially with a team I know so well. I'm very happy and I want to thank Sahara Force India for giving me a second chance. Having been away from the sport, I'm even more determined to achieve my goals in Formula One. Things went really well at the Barcelona test last week and it almost feels as though I've never been away. Driving the car felt so natural and I was able to get back in the groove quickly and find the limit. Now my focus is on making the most of the final test session this week, working with the team in the simulator and getting myself in the best possible shape for Melbourne."