Adrian Sutil contested in 2011 his fourth season with Force India. The German was strong and consistent, bringing many points to the Silverstone-based team and helping it to take 6th in the constructors’ championship. In the drivers’ standings, he clinched 9th overall – his best ever result.
However, these performances were not enough to secure him his place on the 2012 grid.
Season review
For the fourth consecutive year, Adrian Sutil was at the wheel of a Force India. He was paired with Paul di Resta who gave him quite a hard time. The rookie beat him several times during the season.
The German made the headlines a couple of weeks after the Chinese Grand Prix… for the wrong reasons. He was sued by Eric Lux, Genii Capital CEO and co-owner of LRGP, for stabbing him in the neck with a piece of broken glass in a night club. Lux needed 20 stitches. Sutil made a public apology but denied having had the intention of injuring Lux.
On the sporting side, Sutil missed the points in Turkey and Spain but finished 7th at Monaco. He retired in Canada with a broken suspension. At Valencia, he qualified in the top ten and finished 9th. In Germany, thanks to a different strategy, he came home in 6th position. He scored more points in Belgium, at Singapore, in India, at Abu Dhabi and in Brazil.
Conclusion
Adrian Sutil raised the bar throughout the season and finished strongly, despite the uncertainty surrounding his future. His best results in qualifying were four eighth places. His best race finishes were two sixth places. Ninth in the drivers’ championship, he was the ‘best of the rest’ as he was only beaten by the Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes drivers.
Despite being rated quite highly in the paddock, he is still without a drive for 2012. As anticipated, Force India didn’t renew his contract and replaced him with his fellow German Nico Hulkenberg. He is in talks with Williams Renault.
Highs
— Can stir some surprises in races
— 9th in the championship
— Two 6th places
Lows
— Didn’t beat comprehensively his rookie teammate
— Fight with Lux in China
— Without a drive for next year
Nextgen-Auto.com marks:
— Olivier Ferret : 15/20
— D.Thys : 14/20
— Sandrine Bouchard : 15/20
— Jean-Michel Setbon : 13/20
— Average mark on the forum Nextgen-Auto.com : 14/20
— Total : 71/100