I disagree a well liked popular driver will bring far more money in sponsorship to a team than one that is perceived to be unpopular.
As young Hamilton has found out it is just as much about PR as it is about racing and winning, just one negative reaction from a sponsor could indeed ruin a drivers career, this could be the case for Sutil with the bad press from the pending assault charges.
I never get between a woman and her mate, because I like my testicles just where they are thank you.