Jules Bianchi, third driver for Force India in 2012?

Like the four musketeers, there are four French drivers vying for a seat in a Formula One team next season. Recent winner of the GP2 championship, Romain Grosjean is the best positioned of all, but the number of available spots is inversely proportional to the number of contenders, and some drivers will undoubtedly have to lower their ambitions and settle for a position in the shadows of the main drivers.

According to *AutoBild*, Jules Bianchi might be linked to a reserve role at Force India for the next season, replacing the current No. 3, Nico Hülkenberg. The young German driver has indeed never hidden his frustration at having to settle for a few occasional practice sessions during the season and is eyeing a permanent position at Force India, in place of Adrian Sutil, who is rumored to be leaving.

The Frenchman, currently a reserve driver at Ferrari, would have the opportunity with Force India to participate in several Friday morning free practice sessions, similar to what Paul di Resta and Nico Hülkenberg have done in the past two seasons. Bianchi, who has finished third in the GP2 championship twice, could thus gain more experience and showcase his talent in view of a full-time seat for 2013. He has also recently been compared with Sergio Perez and is therefore considered as a potential replacement for Felipe Massa at Ferrari in 2013, or, if Maranello prefers the Mexican, he could inherit his seat at Sauber.

But Bianchi could also have another opportunity to shine next season by staying with Ferrari. Indeed, Jean Todt, president of the FIA, wants to modify the Friday testing program by transforming the current two one-and-a-half-hour free practice sessions into three one-hour sessions, one of which would be exclusively dedicated to rookie drivers. If this solution were to be adopted, the French driver would thus have the prospect of driving the future Maranello single-seater at each Grand Prix.

However, no official announcement regarding Jules Bianchi’s arrival at Force India in 2012 is expected in the immediate future, as the Indian team recently stated that they would not make any announcements until the season is over.