Eric Boullier has admitted Nico Hulkenberg is Lotus' "choice" successor for the Ferrari-bound Kimi Raikkonen. Raikkonen recently said he decided to leave the Enstone based team only for financial reasons.
Lotus has been sweating on a deal with a group of private investors originally called 'Infinity Racing', who in June committed to buying 35 per cent of the team.
But team boss Boullier admitted as recently as at the weekend in Japan that the deal is still not sealed.
In the meantime, Infinity has changed its name to Quantum, to avoid confusion with Infiniti, the luxury Nissan brand that is Red Bull's title sponsor.
"We want to now close this Infinity partner story because this should give us the ability to at least be secure and move us on to the next step," said Boullier.
An obvious 'next step' is the identity of Raikkonen's successor.
The clear frontrunner is German Hulkenberg, who was also considered by Ferrari and McLaren for 2014, and remains in the running either to return to Force India or stay at Sauber.
But if the 'Quantum' deal falls over, Boullier may have to go down the path of a pay-driver, even if the Frenchman admits "This is not the way to go".
Boullier hinted at Suzuka that he is also in talks with a sponsor, as well as engine supplier Renault, who could deepen their relationship with Lotus in 2014 and beyond.
If all the pieces fit together, Hulkenberg will surely be signed. "Since he has been talking to us he has been doing a good job," said Boullier. "I would love to (sign him)," he is quoted by Sporting Life. "He (Hulkenberg) is our choice."
Boullier: "We choose Hulkenberg for 2014 at Lotus"
- Published on 15 Oct 2013 00:03
-
0
- By: Danny Sosef
.
Trending news
-
Hadjar sees only positives for Red Bull ahead of MonacoIsack Hadjar believes Red Bull Racing has finally identified the performance window it needs to challenge for victori...
29 May 2026 17:38 -
Why Fittipaldi believes Russell has already given up on 2026George Russell has drawn sharp criticism from former Formula 1 driver Christian Fittipaldi after appearing to concede...
29 May 2026 16:36 -
Why McLaren insists Lambiase is not being groomed as Stella's successorMcLaren team principal Andrea Stella has dismissed speculation that Gianpiero Lambiase is being groomed to succeed hi...
29 May 2026 15:33 -
Why Steiner calls Wolff his 'rockstar' of the Canadian GPGuenther Steiner has singled out Toto Wolff for praise after the Mercedes team principal allowed Kimi Antonelli and G...
29 May 2026 14:31 -
Why Martin Brundle defended Russell's angry headrest throwMartin Brundle has defended George Russell following the Mercedes driver's angry reaction to his retirement at th...
29 May 2026 13:29
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Team profile
- Team name Sauber
- Base - Switzerland
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Felipe Massa 8
- Marcus Ericsson 9
- Nico Hülkenberg 11
- Felipe Nasr 12
- Esteban Gutierrez 12
- Felipe Massa 12
- Felipe Massa 12
- Kamui Kobayashi 14
- Sergio Perez 15
- Charles Leclerc 16
- Kamui Kobayashi 16
- Sergio Perez 17
- Kimi Räikkönen 17
- Esteban Gutierrez 21
- Kamui Kobayashi 23
- Guanyu Zhou 24
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Antonio Giovinazzi 36
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- Pascal Wehrlein 94
- Adrian Sutil 99
- 115,816 comments on Sauber
5 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Sauber
Replies (0)
Login to reply