Ferrari eyes Sutil after Force India exit
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| Adrian Sutil will do nothing to grow the popularity of F1. The two new F1 races in America will certainly fail without an American driver in a car capable of winning. Alexander Rossi is an Italian American and shares the same popular last name as Valentino Rossi. If Bernie wants those races to succeed, Rossi, not Sutil will replace Massa in 2013 in the Italian team |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Adrian Sutil's manager has denied reports the German driver could be headed to Ferrari.
With the 28-year-old dropped by Force India, it has been rumored he might stop over at Williams next year before moving to Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa in 2013.
Other reports have indicated Sutil might be Ferrari's test driver next year.
"We are definitely not in talks with Ferrari — they are definitely not an option," manager Manfred Zimmermann is quoted in German reports as having told Sky.
"Surely, of course, it is the dream of every driver and manager," he conceded.
Officially, the only available seats remaining for 2012 are at Williams as well as HRT, the struggling Spanish team.
"There are still options to stay in formula one and we are negotiating currently," Zimmermann explained. "At the moment we can't say anything more."
12/19/11 (GMM) As Adrian Sutil departs Force India, he is being linked with famous formula one teams Williams and Ferrari.
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claimed that, while his exit from the Silverstone based team after a five-year tenure only became official last Friday, the 28-year-old has been making new plans for 2012 since Abu Dhabi.
"Williams is interested," said the magazine, "and not only because of his Medion sponsor money. In the second half of the season Sutil did a lot of good to his reputation."
Auto Motor und Sport claims Ferrari is also interested, even though the Maranello based team's president Luca di Montezemolo has yet again insisted that Felipe Massa's contract for next year will be observed.
"Felipe knows next year is very important for him," said the Italian.
The German report said: "Sutil would be an interesting option for Ferrari in 2013. That's why he only wants to sign for one year with Williams."
Sutil's manager Manfred Zimmermann is quoted by Sport Bild: "Adrian's future is not fixed yet and we will not be making any short-term panic decisions."
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, meanwhile, neglected to mention Sutil when he hailed the German presence on next year's grid.
"For Germany, we need Sebastian, Michael and the two Nicos," he is quoted by Kolner Express tabloid.