Montezemolo admits eye on ’German drivers’

For Adrian Sutil, the cloud of his exit at Force India could have a scarlet lining.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has admitted that, with Felipe Massa’s position to be evaluated during the course of 2012, the fabled Italian marque already has an eye on a couple of German drivers.

Before Montezemolo’s comments, reports had linked German Sutil, 28, with Ferrari, either for a switch after a single season with Williams, or off the back of a year on the reserve bench.

"Clearly we are planning for the future," Bild newspaper quotes the Ferrari president as saying.

The newspaper thinks Sutil is a candidate, but Montezemolo also mentioned another of the former Force India driver’s countrymen by name.

"I like Rosberg, as a clear-headed man and someone who is getting better and better."

Auto Motor und Sport - presuming Montezemolo was referring to Sutil as well as Nico Hulkenberg - quotes the 64-year-old adding: "There are two other good, young Germans."

And what about Robert Kubica?

"He is also a possibility," admitted Montezemolo. "We’ll have to see how he comes back from his accident."

But despite setting the rumour-mill alight with talk of a driver change, Montezemolo also backed beleaguered Brazilian Massa.

"Our problem is not the driver as in that area we have the best; we need a competitive car," he insisted.