Sutil, Petrov line up for Ferrari reserve role

Would Ferrari really pick a reserve driver who could end up in jail after this week's trial where he is charged with Sutil is charged with causing grievous bodily harm in an incident involving an F1 executive whereby Sutil sliced his neck with a broken glass bottle

(GMM) Adrian Sutil and Vitaly Petrov have emerged as candidates to become Ferrari's official reserve driver in 2012 if rumors can be believed.

With Jules Bianchi moving into Force India's Friday practice seat this year, it was reported that Italian GP2 driver Davide Rigon had succeeded him at Ferrari.

In fact, the Maranello based team is believed to not consider the 25-year-old as ready to step in should Fernando Alonso or Felipe Massa need replacing during a grand prix weekend.

Indeed, Ferrari said Rigon has extended his contract and will be "on call … for all racing and promotional activities".

The team did not mention official reserve driving duties.

Finland's Turun Sanomat said the real frontrunners for the job are the respective Renault and Force India refugees Vitaly Petrov and Adrian Sutil.

Russian Petrov played down the rumor.

"If you want to go to Ferrari, you don't want to go for one year only," he insisted.

"I can't say whether it has been discussed or not, but for me I think it is too early to go to Ferrari. Maybe in one or two years the time will be right."