Willi Weber still hopeful of Hulkenberg’s future
Recent reports have declared that Nico Hulkenberg has only been able to secure a place as Force India’s Friday test driver. However, his manager still insists that he is looking for the best place for him in 2011 Formula One season. The driver’s management
team assured that they are still in the process of negotiations with some of the teams and will finalise a deal that is in the best interest of the German.
Only yesterday (Monday), it was stated that Hulkenberg will be seen behind the Force India’s wheel as its third driver. However, no confirmation from the team has yet been received. There are also reports that the Indian team has decided to retain its last
year’s driver, Adrian Sutil in 2011 also, while Paul di Resta has been signed as the second team driver for this year. Sutil has driven for the team since 2008 but the last year has been his best one. He performed exceptionally well at some of the races, despite
not having a very competitive car on the 2010 grid.
Willi Weber, Hulkenberg’s manager revealed in a recent report, that there have been negotiations with McLaren as well for the third driver’s seat on the team but “Martin Whitmarsh (McLaren team boss) was worried that it would be seen as a threat to Button.”
However, Weber insisted that he is still hopeful for a better 2011 season for the driver. He assured that he still has some good offers with ongoing negotiations with some teams. The manager, however, went on to say that nothing for certain could be said
for now and the final verdit will be put forth by mid January.
On the other hand, Timo Gans, another member of Hulkenberg's management team, declared that they have finalised a deal with one of the teams, but are only waiting for the team to come up with the official statement. He said that it would not be wise to spread
the word now, and waiting for an official statement would be a wiser strategy.
Talking on same lines, Sutil's manager Manfred Zimmermann also confessed that he has settled things down with Force India and is quite confident for a successful year ahead for the German. He explained saying, "I don't know where it [the Blick story] comes
from - probably from Willi Weber because it says Nico Hulkenberg will be test driver. I can only speak for us. We are basically in agreement with Force India, the contract is being drafted but it is not signed."
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