user icon
user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Lotus keeps seat open for patient Nico Hulkenberg

Lotus keeps seat open for patient Nico Hulkenberg

  • Published on 18 Nov 2013 14:57
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Lotus is keeping a seat open for Nico Hulkenberg, in the hope the German can wait a little longer for the 'Quantum' investment deal to be completed. In Austin at the weekend, Pastor Maldonado's feisty mood with Williams tied in with paddock rumours the Venezuelan has now agreed to move to Lotus for 2014.

The Enstone based team has been open about its talks with Maldonado, but also clear is that his candidature - involving about EUR 40 million a year in PDVSA sponsorship - would be a fallback option in the event the Quantum deal collapses. Many in the paddock believe the money will indeed never arrive at Lotus. "He (Mansoor Ijaz) told me the same as he told everybody else," said Hulkenberg.

The German has always been Lotus' first choice to replace the Ferrari-bound Kimi Raikkonen, but as he is not substantially sponsored, he will only secure the seat if the Quantum millions do arrive. Hulkenberg admitted to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport that, like many in the paddock, he is now "sceptical".

That is why there are still reports doing the rounds that Hulkenberg's manager Werner Heinz is working hard on a couple of fallback options; Force India and Sauber. Lotus boss Eric Boullier, however, admits he would rather sign Hulkenberg than Maldonado. "I think he would like to come to us," said the Frenchman. "And we would also like him. Grosjean and Hulkenberg would be one of the best driver lineups in formula one, and also very attractive for the financial side."

But Boullier said he would understand if Hulkenberg gives up the long wait. "Yes," he acknowledged. "He has had a bad experience at Williams and doesn't want to be in the same situation again. So you couldn't blame him if he signs somewhere else. It would just mean the timing was not right for him or for us," said Boullier. (GMM)
F1 News Pastor Maldonado Ferrari Force India Williams Lotus F1 Sauber

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

Related news

World Championship standings 2022

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
759
2
Ferrari
554
3
Mercedes
514
4
Alpine F1
173
5
McLaren
159
6
Alfa Romeo Racing
55
7
Aston Martin
55
8
Haas F1
37
9
Alpha Tauri
35
10
Williams
8
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Driver profile

VE Pastor Maldonado 13
  • Team Renault
  • Points 27
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 19
  • Country VE
  • Date of b. Mar 9 1985 (37)
  • Place of b. Maracay, Aragua, VE
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Ferrari
Ferrari
Show full profile

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia
Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco
Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom
Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria
Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France
Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Aug 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
2 - Sep 4
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
9 - Sep 11
Italy
Monza
30 - Oct 2
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
7 - Oct 9
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
21 - Oct 23
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
28 - Oct 30
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
11 - Nov 13
Brazil
Interlagos
18 - Nov 20
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Aug 28
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
2 - Sep 4
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
9 - Sep 11
Italy Monza
30 - Oct 2
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
7 - Oct 9
Japan Circuit Suzuka
21 - Oct 23
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
28 - Oct 30
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
11 - Nov 13
Brazil Interlagos
18 - Nov 20
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar