One of the most drawn out sagas in the paddock is over – Adrian Sutil will partner Paul Di Resta at Force India this season. And all of a sudden it’s 2011 again.
Not that we’re wholly against the champagne glass swinging driver from Germany. He was, after all the 9th best driver of the last season he raced, which is not something to be sniffed at. But we just can’t help but feel that his time has been and gone, and his seat was ready for someone else.
Jules Bianchi was widely tipped to take the role, but the billed shoot-out at Barcelona for the seat became a bit of a farce when politics took over. What was meant to be a case of talent and technical feedback, turned into a game of one-upmanship in terms of sponsor packages and just how big each driver’s purses were.
And that’s why this is in the Pits section – money. Adrian Sutil spent a year on the sidelines because Force India didn’t think he was good enough and they went with Nico Hulkenberg. 15 months later the team decide to bring him back because he’s the best business option, and not the best of the talent on offer.
It’s a sad state of affairs. Here’s a photo of Sutil with a dolphin to help raise spirits.
