Adrian Sutil has been confirmed as Force India’s second driver for the 2013 Formula One season, 15 months after being axed by the team.
The Silverstone-base marque have spent several weeks deliberating as to who should partner Paul di Resta for the forthcoming campaign.
Ultimately, it came down to Sutil and the team’s reserve driver Jules Bianchi, with the 30-year-old German given the nod today.
Although their overall performance was naturally considered, with the duo both in the car for a day last week during the second pre-season test in Barcelona, it is understood money has played a pivotal role.
The Force India board are believed to have weighed up the package on the table from Sutil against that which Bianchi could have brought to the team given he is a member of Ferrari’s young driver academy and a possible future engine deal with the Maranello marque.
With Sutil to compete for the first time since 2011, when he was shown the door by co-owner and team principal Vijay Mallya after four years with the team - and five overall in F1 - it appears Mercedes powerplants will be retained.
The decision is a crucial one considering the change in engine regulations for next year when 1.6-litre turbo-charged V6 units replace the 2.4-litre V8s.
In rehiring Sutil, Force India will also have had to ensure there are no legal issues - he has a suspended sentence hanging over him.
A year ago Sutil was convicted of grievous bodily harm for assaulting Lotus executive Eric Lux with a champagne glass during an incident in a Shanghai nightclub after the 2011 Chinese Grand Prix.
A German court handed Sutil an 18-month suspended sentence and a £167,000 fine, a ruling Force India claimed at the time in no way influenced their decision to part company with him.
That would have raised the question as to whether Sutil can enter countries where visas are an issue such as Australia, China, Canada, India and the United States, with entry potentially being refused.
Sutil will drive tomorrow and Saturday at the final pre-season test in Barcelona.
Sutil said: “I’m delighted to be back in Formula One, 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.”
Mallya said: “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. 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.”
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