The Force India Formula One team have confirmed that 2011 reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg will drive alongside Scotland's Paul di Resta next season, the German replacing his countryman Adrian Sutil in their line-up.
The Germanic switch had been predicted for some time, but it took the team until today to actually confirm the move.
Hulkenberg joined the team at the start of 2011 as their Friday practice driver, after driving for Williams in 2010.
Lesser Nico will join di Resta in the team's line-up, the Scotsman having made his debut for the Force India squad in 2011.
"I'm obviously delighted to be staying with Sahara Force India and to be given the chance to race next year," Hulkenberg bellowed after the announcement.
"It wasn't easy to watch from the sidelines this season, but I did my best to help the team and show what I was capable of."
He added: "I'm extremely motivated for 2012 and would like to thank everyone for believing in me and giving me this chance.
"I'm keen to get down to work over the winter to develop our new car and help the team build on this year's achievements. The first test in Jerez can't come soon enough."
Di Resta added: "I'm really looking forward to my second season of Formula 1 and continuing to grow and develop with Sahara Force India.
"I've said all along that I love being part of this team: they are ambitious, hungry for success and we work well together.
"I'm really excited about 2012 and there is a real sense of belief that we can continue to push the top teams and take another step forward."
Team boss Vijay Mallya explained that the team had chosen to go with Hulkenberg after being impressed with his performances in practice throughout the last season.
"I think Paul caught the eye of everybody in the pitlane during his rookie season," he gurgled.
"His speed, maturity and racecraft confirmed that we were right to believe in him and we look forward to working with him again next year."
On Hulkenberg, he added: "As for Nico, we identified him as a rising star at the end of 2010 and chose to evaluate him during the course of this season.
"Despite having only limited time in the car, he convinced us that he deserved a race seat for 2012."
He also praised Sutil, who had raced for the team since joining the then-Spyker operation in 2007.
"Our new line-up means we say 'goodbye' to Adrian Sutil, who has been with the team since we entered the sport," he mused.
"He has been an integral part of our success over the past four seasons and we wish him well for the future."
Sutil's options for 2012 now appear to be in the hands of Williams. The German has been linked with a drive for the Grove-based team in recent weeks.
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