autoevolution
 

Pedro de la Rosa Ready to Ink Force India Deal

Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa may actually be on the 2010 Formula One grid after all, only in a Force India car. Although he was initially tipped with a 2-year deal with Campos Grand Prix, the lack of sponsorship compromised his chances of landing that seat. However, it has now emerged that he is in pole position to join Adrian Sutil at Force India.

According to Spanish radio sources Onda Cero and Radio Marca, the Formula One veteran is highly rated for securing the Force India seat, and a statement on the matter is expected to arrive soon enough from the Silverstone based outfit.

The 38-year old test driver concluded several testing sessions with the Mercedes backed Force India outfit last winter, when it was believed that the German car maker would try to impose its drivers in the team's drivers' lineup. However, the organization's co-owner Vijay Mallya then refused to offer him a seat, choosing to stick with Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil.

In addition, according to a report from Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell, Force India already agreed to test Mercedes' works driver in the DTM Paul di Resta during the upcoming test session at Jerez, in early December.

For the time being, there are no less than 4 drivers with reportedly equal chances of landing a Force India seat next year. Apart from Adrian Sutil, whose place at Silverstone seems signed and sealed already, Giancarlo Fisichella, Pedro de la Rosa, Karun Chandhok and Paul di Resta all seem to target the remaining drive. In addition, it was reported that Neel Jani will also test for Force India – either in the simulator, or on the circuit – which makes that seat probably the most disputed in Formula One.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories