Adrian Sutil says he has done all he can to claim the vacant Force India seat alongside Paul di Resta for the 2013 Formula 1 campaign, with the German being handed one day of testing by the Silverstone-based team at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Returning to the wheel for the first time since the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix, Sutil completed 78 laps and ended the day eighth quickest. The 30-year-old, who is fighting for the seat with Jules Bianchi, says his outing proved his raw pace.
"I've done everything I can do to get my comeback, now it's up to them (Force India) to decide," said Sutil. "They know me better than any other team here. I spent six years with the team and they know my performance. I think it was obvious today that I can show I am still quick - that was very important."
Sutil believes the decision, which will finalise the grid, must be resting on a financial factor due to the delay, but does not expect to be waiting too much longer.
"It has to be something else otherwise they would have confirmed a driver in plenty of time for the first test," he said. "There is some business behind it. It can't take long anymore as in three weeks there is a race. For me the most important thing was to deliver a performance - I have done my part. I can sleep without any worries."
Bianchi will bring this week's test to a close for Force India on Friday, returning to the cockpit of the VJM06 after his initial outing at the Circuito de Jerez a fortnight ago.
Series
Formula 1
Personalities
Paul di Resta
Adrian Sutil
Jules Bianchi
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Force India F1
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| Pos. | Driver | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  F. Alonso | 01:21.875 | 97 |
| 2. | N. Hulkenberg | 01:22.160 | 91 |
| 3. | R. Grosjean | 01:22.188 | 119 |
| 4. | N. Rosberg | 01:22.611 | 108 |
| 5. | P. Maldonado | 01:22.675 | 79 |
| 6. | V. Bottas | 01:22.826 | 68 |
| 7. | J. Button | 01:22.840 | 71 |
| 8. | A. Sutil | 01:22.877 | 78 |
| 9. | M. Webber | 01:23.024 | 108 |
| 10. | J. Vergne | 01:23.366 | 106 |
| Full results | |||
| Jules Bianchi | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| More Jules Bianchi photos | |||
| Adrian Sutil | |||
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| More Adrian Sutil photos | |||
| Paul di Resta | |||
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| More Paul di Resta photos | |||
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