FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

The futures of 2008 team-mates Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil are in serious doubt.

Despite both drivers recently claiming they have solid contracts for 2009, Force India boss Vijay Mallya has admitted that the composition of the team's next race line-up has not yet been decided.

The Indian billionaire said towards the end of last season that both Sutil, the 25-year-old German, and Italian veteran Fisichella will remain with the team in 2009.

But Mallya subsequently struck a technical deal with McLaren-Mercedes, raising speculation that the McLaren-linked drivers Pedro de la Rosa, Gary Paffett or Paul di Resta might be drafted in.

"One McLaren test driver has already tested our car," he told the BBC. "They bring the McLaren experience with them.

"We haven't finalised anything on the race seat. I will discuss this issue with McLaren and take this decision at an appropriate time," Mallya added.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[Denthúl]

So. Guess that we could be seeing de la Rosa, Paffet or maybe even di Resta on the grid next year? Personally, I'd like to see them give Paffet a chance.

[McLaren Fan]

Di Resta looks a better prospect, in my view.

[Denthúl]

Di Resta looks a better prospect, in my view.

But I think that Paffett has earned it. He's been with the team for a while and it's only fair that he gets his chance in a race seat. Di Resta is a little younger than Paffet and will likely have offers in other racing series and I just feel that Paffett's dominance in British F3, DTM championship and becoming the first driver to win a DTM race in a year-old car, certainly justify a race seat.

[scotty]

Someone from McLaren and (much more importantly) Barrichello to FI please!

[Denthúl]

Someone from McLaren and (much more importantly) Barrichello to FI please!

I would accept that line-up without a second thought.

[Centauri]

While I can't see it happening (at ALL), I'd enjoy watching a de la Rosa-Barrichello Force India team!

[8-ball]

Di Resta looks a better prospect, in my view.

But I think that Paffett has earned it. He's been with the team for a while and it's only fair that he gets his chance in a race seat. Di Resta is a little younger than Paffet and will likely have offers in other racing series and I just feel that Paffett's dominance in British F3, DTM championship and becoming the first driver to win a DTM race in a year-old car, certainly justify a race seat.

Exactly. Paffet has been a tireless test driver and never once complained and he was close to getting a drive in the Jordan if I remember rightly. He has earned his shot just give him a chance even if it is only for one season.

[EwanM]

Whether Paffett has earned it or not, Paul Di Resta is getting a huge push from Mercedes right now. Surely that will mean he'll top the list.

[7UpJordan]

Mallya's got some more important decisions to make first, such as how much bigger he wants his flat-packed Motorhome from Ikea to be.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Force India keep Fisichella and Sutil

By Steven English Sunday, December 14th 2008, 13:05 GMT

Force India have confirmed that they will keep an unchanged driver line-up for the 2009 season.

Giancarlo Fisichella will continue for a second season, while 2009 will be Adrian Sutil's third as a race driver with the team he joined as a test driver in 2006. Vitantonio Liuzzi has also been retained as the team's official test and reserve driver.

The announcement puts an end to speculation that McLaren or Mercedes contracted drivers, such as Paul di Resta and Gary Paffett, would fill at least one of the Force India seats next season.

Team boss Vijay Mallya is confident that maintaining the same line-up will give the team the best chance to make the most of their technical partnership with McLaren-Mercedes.

"I firmly believe that next year will be a huge opportunity for this team," he said. "We have a new technical partnership with McLaren and Mercedes, a dynamic new management structure and now one of the most solid driver line-ups on the grid.

"We certainly welcomed the insight and advice of our new partners in this matter, however the choice was entirely ours based on the current talent available in the market today.

"In Giancarlo, Adrian and Tonio we have a wonderful balance between experience and ambition, and now complete consistency."

I guess Mallya knows how to generate publicity.