Force India to end drivers’ suspense before Abu Dhabi
October 29th, 2011 - 8:35 pm ICT by IANSGreater Noida, Oct 29 (IANS) Sahara Force India team principal Vijay Mallya said Saturday that he would announce the drivers line-up for the 2012 Formula One season before the next race in Abu Dhabi slated for November 13.
Force India drivers Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta have made it clear to Mallya that they don’t want to wait till December to know their fate with the Silverstone-based team.
Mallya, however, changed his mind Saturday and said he let the drivers know about their future before the penultimate race of the season.
“I respect that Adrian and Paul want to know about their future with Force India soon. They spoke to me about it and I will make the announcement before Abu Dhabi,” said Mallya outside the Force India paddock after the qualifying session of the Indian Grand Prix.
Force India have a reserve driver in Nico Hulkenberg and Mallya hinted that team might add another one for 2012.
“We are thinking of having two reserves for the next season. Lets see how it pans out,” said Mallya.
Asked whether he prefers a driver who gets more money into the team or a talented one, Mallya said: “I don’t need a paid driver. I don’t believe in selling a seat. I have always done what is good for the team.”
The liquor baron has often been criticised for not taking an Indian driver in his team.
Force India are sixth in the Constructors’ Championship and have done better in the second half of the season.
- Force India retain di Resta for 2012, drop Sutil - Dec 17, 2011
- Have a tough decision to make on drivers: Mallya - Oct 30, 2011
- Force India pick Max Chilton for Abu Dhabi young driver test - Nov 08, 2011
- Webber secures elusive win in Brazil, Force India end season on a high - Nov 28, 2011
- Former Ferrari reserve driver Bianchi moves to Force India - Jan 27, 2012
- No plans to sell Force India team: Mallya - Oct 07, 2011
- Vettel equals pole record in Abu Dhabi, Force India secure top-10 finish - Nov 12, 2011
- Di Resta predicts tougher fight between midfield teams - Mar 15, 2012
- Force India confirm Paul di Resta for 2011 Formula One season - Jan 27, 2011
- Di Resta in dark about his future with Force India - Dec 14, 2011
- Force India launch 2012 car - Feb 03, 2012
- Force India confident of maintaining form in Hungarian GP - Jul 28, 2011
- Vettel claims another pole, Sutil sneaks into 10th at European GP - Jun 25, 2011
- Happy to log points in inaugural Indian GP: Sutil - Oct 30, 2011
- Vettel wins maiden Monaco Grand Prix, Force India seventh - May 30, 2011
Tags: abu dhabi, adrian sutil, fate, force india, formula one, grand prix, greater noida, india team, liquor baron, money, nico hulkenberg, paddock, sahara, second half, suspense, team principal