Force India has confirmed the expected news that Paul di Resta will race alongside Nico Hülkenberg for the 2012 Formula 1 season. The latter returns to the sport after a year on the sidelines, leaving Adrian Sutil on the driver market.
The official announcement, which came via the team’s website, has arrived in its scheduled date of mid-December despite requests from Sutil to speed up the process. Hülkenberg, who clinched pole position at Interlagos in 2010 before being dropped by Williams, is back in a race seat after a year of selected practice sessions.
“I’m obviously delighted to be staying with Sahara Force India and to be given the chance to race next year,” the 2009 GP2 Champion explained. “It wasn’t easy to watch from the sidelines this season, but I did my best to help the team and show what I was capable of.
“I’m extremely motivated for 2012 and would like to thank everyone for believing in me and giving me this chance. I’m keen to get down to work over the winter to develop our new car and help the team build on this year’s achievements. The first test in Jerez can’t come soon enough.”
Di Resta, DTM title winner of 2010, is now preparing to move into his second full F1 season after finishing this year as the highest-placed rookie driver.
“I’m really looking forward to my second season of Formula 1 and continuing to grow and develop with Sahara Force India,” says the Scot. “I’ve said all along that I love being part of this team: they are ambitious, hungry for success and we work well together. I’m really excited about 2012 and there is a real sense of belief that we can continue to push the top teams and take another step forward.
“I’d also like to thank the team for all their hard work this year and for all the support they’ve given me. I’ll take some time out over the next few weeks to recharge my batteries and hopefully come back even stronger in 2012.”
This leaves only two vacant seats on next year’s grid, with one being at HRT as Sutil vies for a Williams position along with a handful of other drivers.
As things stand:
F1 2012 team and driver line-ups
See also:
- 'Hülkenberg’s performances convinced us' - Mallya
- Mallya sends regards to ousted Sutil
- Video: Hülkenberg's Williams takes pole in Brazil
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