Force India 'could unveil new driver next week'

LONDON (AFP) –

British driver Paul Di Resta drives the Sahara Force India VJM06 Formula 1 racing car during the launch at Silverstone race circuit near Northampton on Febuary 1, 2013. Force India could name a partner for di Resta next week, the Indian Formula One team’s deputy team principal, Bob Fernley, revealed on Thursday.

Force India could name a partner for driver Paul di Resta next week, the Indian Formula One team’s deputy team principal, Bob Fernley, revealed on Thursday.

At testing in Barcelona this week, Force India have given opportunities to former driver Adrian Sutil and current reserve Jules Bianchi.

Sutil, who was a member of the team for five years until 2011, was behind the wheel on Thursday, with Bianchi due to take over on Friday.

When asked if Force India would make a decision on their new driver next week, Fernley replied: “It would be good.

“We’re giving everyone the amount of mileage they need. We’ll try and get all the information we’ve been collecting to the shareholders this weekend and then it’s their decision.

“We want to make sure it’s an even playing field for everybody and that, more importantly, they (Sutil and Bianchi) have the opportunity to get used to the car.

“Obviously one of them will come through and we don’t want to disadvantage them in any way.”

Di Resta says his only wish is that his team chooses a driver capable of moving the team forward.

“I know both very well. They’re both good people and they’ve both been part of the team for a long time,” said the Scot. “It’s all up to the board members, the key people in the team. They make the decision as to who they want to partner me.

“I’m very supportive of whoever it might be as long as they’re pushing me on and they’re a team player; that’s the important part.”