Adrian Sutil signed as Midland young driver

On the occasion of the launch of its brand-new MF1 Toyota M16 car at Silverstone Circuit, MF1 Racing - the Formula One team owned and operated by the Midland Group - is pleased to introduce 22-year-old Adrian Sutil from Munich, Germany, as the team's official Junior Driver for 2006.

Sutil, runner-up in the 2005 F3 Euroseries Championship, becomes the sixth German to be involved in F1 in 2006.

MF1 Racing Managing Director Colin Kolles commented, "Adrian drove for my F3 team in his rookie Euroseries season. When he earned pole position in just his third race, I was more than just impressed - I was convinced that he was a talent for the future. As MF1's Junior Driver in 2006, he will have the opportunity to mature professionally in a Formula 1 environment and prepare himself thoroughly for what I believe will be a great F1 career."

Sutil will share testing duties for the team and will also participate in some of the Friday Grand Prix practice days.

A gifted pianist, Sutil was expected to follow his violinist father, Jorge, into a musical career but at the age of 14, he discovered karting.
"From that moment on, Formula 1 has been my goal," said the aspiring Junior Driver. "This opportunity with MF1, at an early stage in my development as a driver, is a dream come true. I know that if I work really hard, I can repay the confidence that has been shown in me and earn a place among the top drivers in the world."