JUNE 17, 2013

Sutil and Hulkenberg push on in midfield

They may not be at the front of the field, but two German drivers are not throwing their hands in despair as they battle in F1's midfield.

They may not be at the front of the field, but two German drivers are not throwing their hands in despair as they battle in F1's midfield.

Adrian Sutil only returned to the grid this year in the wake of a criminal conviction for assault, and so for now he is happy with his solid Force India comeback.

Asked about 2014, the 30-year-old said: "It's still too early to say. At the moment I'm happy to be in formula one with Force India."

He has, however, been with the very same Silverstone based team for his entire career spanning almost 100 races.

"In the future, it is important for me to win," Sutil told the German broadcaster ZDF. "But I am in formula one.

"I think we have a good chance to keep moving forwards, and I'll try the same thing for myself -- with what team is quite trivial," he added.

"At the moment I think I can be very successful with this team," said Sutil.

Also in a potentially frustrating position in F1 at present is Nico Hulkenberg.

On the one hand he is lauded as one of F1's brightest new talents, and on the other apparently ruing a backwards step from Force India to Sauber over the winter.

But the 25-year-old likened his career so far to Jenson Button's early years: a long struggle initially that ultimately turned into wins, a world title and a plum seat at McLaren.

"Jenson was with Honda for many years when he was unable to show his ability because the car wasn't good enough. Sometimes it happens," Hulkenberg is quoted by the Sun newspaper.

"You have to be patient. That's life."

(GMM)