Planet-F1

Force India rubbish Sutil rumours

Friday 28th March 2008

Force India team principal Colin Kolles has dismissed speculation that Adrian Sutil is on the verge of losing his race seat.

Sutil has made a poor start to the season, citing mechanical problems for his failure to finish in Australia and Malaysia.

Some have speculated that Sutil will go the same way as Christijan Albers who made just a few starts for Spyker last season before he was released from his contract.

However, Kolles insists Sutil's immediate future at Force India is secure, and believes Giancarlo Fisichella is key to the German's resurgence.

"Sutil will stay," Kolles told Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell.

"He needs to regain the form and performances we all know he is capable of. He must regain his self-confidence. Fisichella will make the difference."

Kolles is also happy with the VJM01's performances to date.

"If you look at the data you can see the progress we have made with a new engine and a new driver," he said.

"These data clearly shows that Fisichella has helped us to take a giant step forward."