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Force India still backs unlucky Sutil

ESPN Staff
May 16, 2013 « McLaren-Honda deal not exclusive | Tyre changes frustrate Lotus »
Adrian Sutil has had problems at four of the five races so far this season © Sutton Images
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Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley is confident Adrian Sutil's luck will change soon after a disappointing start to the season.

Sutil has scored just six points this year compared to team-mate Paul di Resta's 26, but has been plagued by bad luck and shown strong race pace. In Malaysia both Force Indias retired with wheel nut issues, in China he was hit from behind by Esteban Gutierrez, in Bahrain he suffered a puncture after contact with Felipe Massa and in Spain a cross-threaded wheel nut cost him 55 seconds.

However, his strong pace has not gone unnoticed and Fernley is confident his driver will bounce back.

"I felt really sorry for him, because he had the fourth quickest race pace [in Spain]," he explained. "He would finished fourth or fifth. Unfortunately it's one of those things. When was the last time Sahara Force India had a crossed threaded wheel nut? These things just seem to happen at the moment.

"He's just got to be strong and get through it, and it will all come back in the right way. As I said to Adrian, 'That's why we employ you, because you've got the mental strength to deal with it.'"

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