Sutil set to stay at Force India in 2011

Adrian Sutil confirmed today the news that he would join Force India again in the 2011 F1 season. The German attempted to move to Renault or Williams but at Interlagos he admitted that he was now oriented towards signing a renewal with his current team.

“The idea is to stay at Force India” he declared on Thursday's Brazilian GP. “We are currently in advanced negotiations. I am definitely ready to stay here for another year, but we haven't signed yet."

It will take another two weeks to finalize the deal: “The final decision won't be made until the end of the season, unfortunately. I would have preferred it to have happened sooner, but it didn't happen that way."

The news is rather bad for Nick Heidfeld who was hoping to take his compatriot's place at Force India. The Silverstone team already has a contract with Tonio Liuzzi for 2011.

“If Sutil stays where he is I probably have no chance with Force India” confirmed Heidfeld who at Sauber will be replaced by debutant Sergio Perez, supported by new sponsor Telmex.

A place could become available at Renault but the Enstone team should confirm Vitaly Petrov.

Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg's place at Williams is under threat from paying driver Pastor Maldonado. Sir Frank Williams praised the German during the week but the young debutant commented: "I don't buy anything from praise." “Williams told me that there is still a chance to stay,” adding that he was disappointed by the transfer rumors about his substitution in favor of his former teammate from 2009 in GP2: “In qualifying, I think I beat him 10 to 0”.