Force India won't reveal second driver at 2013 Formula 1 car launch

The Silverstone-based team is, together with Caterham, the only Formula 1 outfit yet to confirm its second driver for the upcoming season.

Jules Bianchi and Adrian Sutil are believed to be the main candidates to partner Paul di Resta.

Force India will launch its 2013 car - the Mercedes-powered VJ06 - on February 1 before it begins testing at Jerez four days later.

Deputy team boss Bob Fernley told AUTOSPORT on Friday however that the launch will not be used to announce its second driver.

Asked if Force India would confirm its line-up before or during the event, Fernley said: "No. The launch is to launch the VJ06."

Fernley said the timeframe for announcing the team's second driver was "probably before the first test."

He also denied the team would use the test to evaluate drivers for the seat.

"[That's] very unlikely," he said about the possibility of using the test to trial candidates.

2013 Formula 1 line-up so far:

Red Bull     Sebastian Vettel  Mark Webber
Ferrari      Fernando Alonso   Felipe Massa
McLaren      Jenson Button     Sergio Perez
Lotus        Kimi Raikkonen    Romain Grosjean
Mercedes     Lewis Hamilton    Nico Rosberg
Sauber       Nico Hulkenberg   Esteban Gutierrez
Force India  Paul di Resta     seat still available
Williams     Pastor Maldonado  Valtteri Bottas
Toro Rosso   Daniel Ricciardo  Jean-Eric Vergne
Caterham     Charles Pic       seat still available
Marussia     Timo Glock        Max Chilton