And since there are a handful of drivers aiming for those two spots at Silverstone – the team's base – former world champion Niki Lauda thought about giving the Indian billionaire a piece of advice before he makes up his mind. If Lauda were the manager of that team, he would pick two German drivers, namely Adrian Sutil and Nico Hulkenberg.
“On sporting criteria alone, Force India should have Sutil and Hulkenberg in 2011,” Niki Lauda is quoted as saying to Swiss newspaper Blick.
Just to go over the drivers situation at Force India once more, we'll remind you that neither of the squad's 2010 racers – Adrian Sutil or Vitantonio Liuzzi – have been confirmed for next year, yet both tell the media that their future with Mallya's team is secured. From the two, Sutil is the only one without a written contract for 2011, as Liuzzi signed a 2-year deal prior to the 2010 campaign.
Nevertheless, recent reports have suggested that Liuzzi's situation within the team is just as unsecured as Sutil's, if not worse. The German told the media that he agreed in principle with the team officials for a new one-year extension for 2011.
On the other hand, there are at least two more drivers aiming to become regulars in the Great Circus in 2011 for Force India, namely the aforementioned Hulkenberg and newly-crowned DTM champion and current Force India reserve driver Paul di Resta. In recent days, Hulkenberg's manager Willi Weber said that discussions with Force India for a 2011 race seat are ongoing, and his client also looked optimistic for the future.
On the other hand, Di Resta benefits from Mercedes support for a Force India seat, as the Indian-backed squad is currently an engine partner of the German carmaker.
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