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F1: Experience Gave Sutil Edge, Says Mallya
Team principal Vijay Mallya says Force India had good reasons for choosing Adrian Sutil to fill out its driver lineup...
Adam Cooper  | http://www.speedtv.com  |  Posted February 28, 2013   Balen (BEL)
Vijay Mallya (Pictured) says the decision about the team's second driver wasn't easy. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
Force India team principal Vijay Mallya says the driver decision was not an easy one, and confirmed that Adrian Sutil’s experience ultimately gave him an edge over Jules Bianchi.

He added that the team hopes to maintain its relationship with the Frenchman, although his position as reserve driver is apparently not yet confirmed.

“The decision over our driver lineup has not been an easy one, and we have given it great consideration over the last few months,” said Mallya.

“It was a close call, but ultimately we felt that Adrian’s experience and historic links to the team gave him the edge, and will provide us with the best possible chance of realizing our ambitions for the coming season.

“If he can rediscover the exceptional form he showed in the second half of 2011, I’m confident that we can pick up where we left off at the end of 2012. As for Jules Bianchi, he has impressed us enormously with his speed and work ethic, and I’m hopeful we can continue working with him this year to help him develop into a future Grand Prix driver.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 28th season as a racing journalist in 2012. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.
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