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In the Brazilian Grand Prix Press Conference today, Sauber driver Adrian Sutil has revealed there are “certain things to talk about” with Sauber after learning that there is no place for him at the team next season.
Earlier this week, Sauber concluded their driver line-up for 2015 when they announced that Felipe Nasr would partner Marcus Ericsson. Both drivers bring with them millions in sponsorship from Brazil and Sweden respectively.
The announcement brings to an end Sutil’s time with the team despite the German, who has yet to score this season, only being midway through a two-year contract.
In the Brazilian Grand Prix Press Conference today, Sutil though, has cast doubt over whether Nasr and Ericsson will race for Sauber and also whether the team will even be on the grid in 2015. Sutil stated the following:-
‘There are certain things to talk about definitely. They confirmed two drivers, but it doesn’t mean the drivers are going to drive. And it doesn’t mean the team is going to drive.
‘So there is no real change from last weekend to this weekend. It is just an announcement. Now of course from my situation I think I have to do some talking to sort out the things.’
From what Sutil has stated today, it is clear that he feels that there is unfinished business with Sauber in regards to his two year contract with the team. And if that is the case, Sauber and Sutil need to resolve these issues as quickly as possible away from the public spotlight. Even though he understands that Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr have been confirmed as drivers for 205, he feels that things with Sauber are not what they appear to be.
As we all know the sport is in a mess in regards to distribution of the revenue money and this does affect the smaller teams such as Sauber in regards to their financial budget. But I feel that Sutil shouldn’t have mentioned this issue as at the end of the day, this will not do him any favours when he talks to Sauber regarding his contract issues and also it could be seen as a breach of personal information being leaked too.
It would seem that Sutil believes Sauber’s announcement on their drivers for next season will not change how he approaches the race this weekend. His objective will be focusing with his management to sort out the issues that he feels he needs to bring to the team’s attention regarding his contract status.
When asked further in the press conference as for whether he now has a future in F1, Sutil added the following:-
‘I don’t know. I will see what is possible, what I want. There are quite a few things to sort out and I cannot really say more at the moment.’
There is no question that Sutil will have been disappointed not to have been retained for 2015 by Sauber. But all he can do now is ensure that he looks at all the possible options that are available to him and he raises and sorts out the issues that he feels concerned about regarding his contract with Sauber.
But overall, many pundits and fans knew that Sutil would not be retained for 2015 with Sauber. As I have argued previously, Sutil was very lucky to have to secured the drive with Sauber for this season especially after being outperformed by his former teammate Paul di Resta at Force India in 2013.
But this season even though he hasn’t had the car underneath him, Sutil for me hasn’t performed very well. Even though he did a super job in Austin last weekend, I feel that this performance has come too late and Sauber have taken the decision to terminate his contract for next season.
I do believe that Sutil has been given plenty of chances to shine in Formula One. He has done the best that he could do in his career and I feel now is the time for him to consider other options and achieve success elsewhere after the issues with Sauber have been sorted out to both parties satisfaction before it is too late for him to take up any of these options that are currently on the table for him.
