Feb.28 (GMM) Having denied it was a done deal mere hours ago, Adrian Sutil's manager now sounds certain the 30-year-old has secured a Force India race seat for 2013.

"It looks like it has worked out," Manfred Zimmermann told the Kolner Express newspaper.

"I've heard that Nicolas Todt told French reporters that Jules Bianchi is out of the race," 30-year-old Sutil's manager added.

"We still have to wait for the official confirmation of the team," Zimmermann said.

Indeed, Todt - rookie Bianchi's manager - told multiple media sources late on Wednesday that his 23-year-old charge had been beaten to the Force India seat by Sutil.

"It's a big disappointment," Todt, whose father is the FIA president Jean Todt, is quoted by Reuters.

"I am a very realistic person but I was very hopeful he would get this drive."

Some reports say Bianchi could now be in the running for the second Marussia seat, with Brazilian Luiz Razia left out of the team's recent Barcelona test due to reported sponsorship problems.

Todt said: "We are looking around in F1 but there are very few options."

British broadcaster Sky's race commentator David Croft said Bianchi will remain Force India's reserve driver this year.

But RMC Sport - one of the French outlets who spoke directly to Nicolas Todt on Wednesday - said no decision has been made.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games