Bianchi still ’waiting’ on Force India decision

Jules Bianchi is still in the running to become Paul di Resta’s teammate at Force India in 2013.

At the weekend, Scottish driver di Resta admitted he is "surprised" the Silverstone based team is taking so long to make its decision.

Reportedly, 2012 reserve driver and Frenchman Bianchi is a leading candidate.

And according to French commentator Jean-Louis Moncet, the 23-year-old’s chances have just stepped up a notch.

In his Auto Plus column, Moncet wrote that Force India will switch from Mercedes to Ferrari power in 2014, with Sauber having now signed a Mercedes engine deal.

Part of Force India’s Ferrari deal could be that the Nicolas Todt-managed and Ferrari-contracted Bianchi is placed in the race seat, with immediate effect.

"I am waiting," Bianchi, who at the weekend won Felipe Massa’s karting event, told the French-language RMC Sport in Florianopolis.

"It has been quite a hard winter this time because I haven’t known what I am doing (next). We have a chance, and it’s a good one.

"We’ll wait and see what Force India will decide."

Also waiting on the final pieces of the 2013 grid to take shape is Bruno Senna, who has been linked with the other remaining race seat, at Caterham.

"For 2013, it is still unclear," the Brazilian, also in Florianopolis, is quoted by Totalrace.

"We are in the game but it is not easy to know where I’ll end up even if I imagine that it will not take long for the pieces to fit together.

"I hope everything goes well," added the former Williams driver.

"We are looking at all the options, both inside and outside of formula one."

Asked if Force India is one of those options, Senna answered: "I am talking to the teams that still have seats free."