Force India retains Sutil and Liuzzi
Mallya says consistency at this stage in Force India's development
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Friday, 27, Nov 2009 01:00
By Adam Leveridge.
The Force India team has announced it will retain Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi for the 2010 season.
This news comes after reports suggested former Renault driver Nelson Piquet Junior, who was ousted from the Enstone-based team midway through the season for not hitting a performance clause in his contract, was in line for a drive with the team.
However, Force India quashed the rumours by revealing they intend maintain consistency by keeping the same drivers for next season.
"We are very pleased to retain the services of both Adrian and Tonio for another season," said Force India team owner Vijay Mallya.
"We have always maintained that consistency is key at this stage in the team's development and for the first time in many years we will have the continuity of not only the same drivers, but also the same engine and senior management.
"I am sure we have one of the most dynamic line-ups on the grid and I hope this will stand us in good stead in what we all hope will be a transitional year for the team."
Sutil was regarded by many as one of the most unlucky drivers in the field last season, after he missed out on numerous points finishes because of misfortune and mistakes.
However, the German is keen to turn his fortune around in his fourth season in formula one.
"I feel good at Force India, it feels like family, and when you feel at ease you can focus your energy 100 per cent on getting it right on track," said Sutil.
"Next season I want to be in the points on a regular basis, maybe even challenging for the podium, and the team has exactly the same goals.
"We are going massively in the right direction so with our combined energies I'm confident we can achieve even more than last season."
Liuzzi, who partnered Sutil for the final five races of 2009 after Giancarlo Fisichella switched to Ferrari in place of Luca Badoer, had a strong end to the season and made a big impression with Force India when he came close to clinching a podium or a fifth place in the Italian grand prix on his debut with the team.
The Italian said he always aimed to be in a full-time race sear in 2010 and he is ready to push.
"I feel the five races I did in 2009 were a bit of a warm-up; get back racing, learn the car, get the feeling back," he explained.
"Now I've done that I feel ready to really push next season.
"We were pretty strong in the last part of the 2009 season so if we pick up where we stopped I think we could be in for a good year.
"For sure points are the aim and showing everyone what we can do."
Force India has stated that an announcement regarding its third driver will be made in the weeks following the upcoming 'young drivers' test in Jerez, which takes place between December 1st and 3rd.