Sutil seat fitting is no surprise

15/02/2013

Mat Coch writes:

Adrian Sutil has been at Force India's Silverstone headquarters to have a seat fitting. It therefore follows that we can expect to see the German in action when testing resumes next week.

Sutil has been on the Formula One sidelines since the end of the 2011 when he was dumped in favour of countryman Nico Hulkenberg, who has since jumped ship to Sauber.

Following the Chinese Grand Prix of 2011, Sutil was involved in an incident in a nightclub. Charges were pressed and Sutil found guilty. The conviction and ensuing uncertainty surrounding his eligibility to travel to China prompted many to see it as the end of his Formula One career.

Throughout 2012 Sutil was a regular visitor to the Force India hospitality suite during Grands Prix weekends. Usually perched atop barstools the hungry media interviewed the likes of Paul di Resta, Bob Fernley, and Nico Hulkenberg within earshot of the squad's former driver.

The claim that Sutil is in line for a "shock return", as some have claimed, can therefore be scoffed at. He has been linked with a return to Formula One since Hulkenberg announced his defection in October. The news does not come as a "shock". The talented German has been seen around Force India for the better part of a year.

The true question is whether Sutil is the best man, or the best fit, for the Force India drive. Bianchi is well connected and immensely talented, while there are a host of other drivers in the wings, some more credentialed than Sutil.

A seat fitting does not mean a race return. Jules Bianchi has had a seat fitting but there has been no announcement that he will race in 2012. James Rossiter too has had a seat fitting, but there are no suggestions he will be on the grid in Australia.

Adrian Sutil has had a seat fitting. It is not a driver announcement. All it suggests is that we may see the German in action at Barcelona next week.