Force India confirms Hulkenberg for 2012

The Formula One 2012 grid is now quickly taking shape with Force India confirming their driver line-up for next season.

As expected Force India have stuck by British driver Paul di Resta who for many was 'rookie of the year' in 2011 if such an award existed and have handed Nico Hulkenberg a drive for 2012.

'I think Paul [di Resta] caught the eye of everybody in the pitlane during his rookie season, His speed, maturity and racecraft confirmed that we were right to believe in him and we look forward to working with him again next year.' Force India Team boss Vijay Mallya told Autosport Magazine.

'As for Nico [Hulkenberg], we identified him as a rising star at the end of 2010 and chose to evaluate him during the course of this season. Despite having only limited time in the car, he convinced us that he deserved a race seat for 2012.'

That of course means that 28-year-old German driver Adrian Sutil leaves after five years with the team [Spyker 2007 - Force India 2008-11].

Sutil has started 90 races since making his Formula One debut at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix. His best finish came at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix where he finish fourth.

Mallya added: 'Our new line-up means we say 'goodbye' to Adrian Sutil, who has been with the team since we entered the sport, He has been an integral part of our success over the past four seasons and we wish him well for the future.'

The news doesn't come as much of a surprise as Nico Hulkenberg was simply a wasted talent as Force India's reserve driver during the 2011 season, it was merely a case of working out who would be bumped to make room for him.

Sutil has previously been linked with a move to the Williams Team, so might not join the growing list of drivers who will not be returning next season.