More woes for Mallya as Nico Hulkenberg quits Force India for Sauber

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Nico Hulkenberg will leave Sahara Force India and join fast-growing Sauber for the 2013 season, the media reports claimed on Sunday.

Hulkenberg, who was rumoured to be moving to Ferrari, today finished sixth at the Korean Grand Prix. "Nico Hulkenberg is to leave Force India and join Sauber next year. Sauber have not yet officially confirmed Hulkenberg but the deal is understood already to be done," a BBC report said.

Sergio Perez will leave a seat in Sauber as he is moving to high-profile McLaren. Hulkenberg had joined Force India as a test and reserve driver in 2011 and was promoted to a race seat this season.

The report went on to claim that Force India are keen on taking back Adrian Sutil, who had lost his drive at the end of last year following his conviction in January on assault charges following an incident in a nightclub after the 2011 Chinese Grand Prix.

Sutil was with the side through their various guises as Midland, Spyker and Force India from 2006-11. "But there is pressure from some quarters for the team to take (Jamie) Alguersuari, who was dropped by Toro Rosso last year despite an impressive 2011 season," the report added.