Germany's Nico Hulkenberg will return to the Formula One starting grid next season as team-mate to Britain's Paul di Resta at Force India.
The tall Hulkenberg, who raced for former world champions Williams in 2010 and was test and reserve driver at Force India this year, will replace compatriot Adrian Sutil at the Silverstone-based team.
Sutil is a frontrunner to switch to Williams in place of Brazilian Rubens Barrichello as team-mate to Pastor Maldonado, the well-funded Venezuelan who ousted Hulkenberg.
The Force India announcement came as no surprise, with Hulkenberg's imminent return the worst kept secret in the paddock.
