DECEMBER 2, 2013

Sutil calls orange Force India 'a carrot'

In a clear sign he is leaving the Silverstone based team, Adrian Sutil has described this year's orange Force India car as a "carrot".

In a clear sign he is leaving the Silverstone based team, Adrian Sutil has described this year's orange Force India car as a carrot.

It is believed that, with Force India expected to shortly announce Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez as its all-new drivers for 2014, German Sutil is headed to Sauber.

In an interview with Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, Sutil sounded critical of Force India's 2013 season, but not his own performance.

"I think I did a good job," he said.

"Maybe a slight error here and there, but overall fine.

"As far as the results, we threw away many good results by bad luck, because of other drivers, or botched pitstops. This is something I've never experienced.

"So much slipped through our fingers. The car was really strong in the beginning, but this is a common problem with small teams -- when they suddenly have a chance, you have to be able to cope with it," he added.

Indeed, Force India had a strong start to 2013, but it was believed Pirelli's mid-season construction change particularly hurt the team's performance.

Actually, Sutil claims, "The car was not particularly good.

"We had every problem you can have -- oversteer, understeer, in slow corners, fast corners. There was not much you could do about it as a driver.

"Ultimately, the car was a carrot. Simply nothing worked," said the 30-year-old, apparently comparing the orange and green-liveried car with the orange and green vegetable.

(GMM)