Bianchi has a real chance at Force India according to Nicolas Todt
The manager of Jules Bianchi tells RMC Sport that nothing has been decided yet regarding the second Force India seat but believes that the driver from Nice has « a real chance » to succeed Nico Hülkenberg. Adrian Sutil, on the other hand, confirmed that nothing has been signed with the Indian team regarding his case but assures that nothing would prevent it.
After Charles Pic, Jean-Eric Vergne, and Romain Grosjean, will France have a fourth representative in Formula 1 next season? Jules Bianchi seems to be in a strong position, as confirmed by Nicolas Todt, the manager of the Nice-born driver, to *RMC Sport*: The decision is in the hands of two or three people within the Force India team. I think Jules has a real chance, but nothing is certain. There are many drivers knocking on Force India’s door. Jules is one of those drivers, and the objective is still to secure the seat for next season.
Furthermore, « barring a major surprise », the French manager believes that « no one has signed at the moment » while an announcement is expected in the coming days and that the future of Jules Bianchi at Silverstone seems more or less dependent on a potential engine supply agreement between the Indian team and Ferrari.
Found guilty of assaulting Eric Lux and sentenced to 18 months in prison with a suspended sentence and a €200,000 fine, Adrian Sutil is now considered the main contender against Jules Bianchi for the second Force India seat. During the Race of Champions, held last weekend in Bangkok, the German assured that his legal troubles were now behind him and would not prevent him, if chosen by Force India, from competing in all the Grand Prix in 2013: « Of course, my management and I have checked with all countries, and there is no problem for me to travel […]. So all the problems I encountered last winter are resolved: it’s a new start. »
If he confirmed on Sat.1 that nothing was signed with Force India, he remains convinced that he is the best option for the Indian team with whom he shares a long history: « I’ve been with the team for five years, so they know what I’m worth, they know my qualities, so I won’t be the one going to the team and saying: “Please, I beg you, give me a seat!” […]. I want to drive for this team but they also have to want me as a driver, so that’s why I’m relaxed. I know how to handle this situation, I’ve done the maximum I could for now and, now, it’s up to them to decide if I get the seat or not. »
