A few months ago I posted an article on 606 about a possible move for Sutil to Ferrari. This story came about due to a tweet by Jonathan Legard, which I saw in the BBC's F1 gossip column. You can see the tweet here: http://mobile.twitter.com/legardj/status/6705204229574657 At the time, nobody believed the story due to the credibility of the source, but now it appears there may have been some truth in that rumour. Someone on the Autosport forum found this link with the information: http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2011/3/11828.html The link says: Adrian Sutil stays on for another year, after plans to have him replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari fell apart in the aftermath of last year's team orders argument What are your thoughts about Sutil going to Ferrari? Is he worthy of a seat at a top team?
He's a top driver. Always seems to do well at tracks such as Monaco and Suzuka and also during wet races, conditions where a driver can really transcend the quality of his vehicle. I wouldn't say he's a title challenger, but he's certainly deserving of a seat at Ferrari.
One thing that I really like about Sutil is his defensive driving. Like how he ended Hamilton's overtaking spree at Malaysia 2010 and stayed calm under pressure. Also he stopped Vettel's charge at Silverstone and almost held on. Considering the speed differences between them, it was quite impressive. I wouldnt put him up there with the big boys just yet, but like Heidfeld, hes never had a car capable of winning races.
Looking at the quote Jose has highlighted, do you reckon he didn't want to be seen as a number two driver then?
I read that as Ferrari didn't want to axe Massa, either because of PR or maybe something in Massa's contract meant he could take legal action against the team but they offered a new contract to stop him.
I think he is worth a try. He is in the same band as Kobayashi. Rosberg was also in that band for me and now he is given a chance at merc
I think hes a bit better than Massa and Webber. If given the right equiptment could easily be a WC. No bad races by himself last year (Korea he had brake problems)
Sutil was Hamilton's team mate in F1 Euroseries, which probably explains why he's good at defending cause he knows most of the styles of overtaking. F3 didn't show us much though on how good he was, his car was very quick, and he was reasonably consistent. He's been going the long way for a couple of years at Force India, but I think he has greatly improved, and maybe deserves a chance at a better mid field team
He is capable of great drives but one bad one sprung to mind when watching highlights of it on youtube. Korea 2010. That stupid move on Kobayshi (I think) cost Force India 6th in the constructors to Williams.
Speed Breeze, it wasnt completely his fault. He had a brakes problem which he could barely stop the car.
Sadly I think that Massa's time in Ferrari is running out, someone like Sutil should have a seat now. Sutil is a clever and very fast man on the track, but we all know that will never happen, Alonso will want to keep Felipe as a doormat anyway.
