Adrian Sutil has re-emerged as a front runner for the last spot on the 2013 grid, with news he had a custom seat fitted at Force India’s Silverstone factory this week.
It was thought the Ferrari-linked Jules Bianchi, who tested the team’s new VM06 at Jerez recently, was now the favourite, but Sutil’s manager Manfred Zimmermann insisted this week he is "convinced" the German’s push to return to F1 will work out.
Media reports now say former Force India racer Sutil, 30, had a seat fitting for the VJM06 this week.
A team spokesman confirmed the reports, adding: "At this stage the test driving schedule for the Barcelona test is not finalised but there is a possibility Adrian could be involved.
"The driving schedule will be communicated on Monday next week."