Future of Nico Hulkenberg in doubt

Nico Hulkenberg

The 26-year-old German, Nico Hulkenberg remains one of the most talented and highly rated drivers in Formula One now, despite facing difficulties with Sauber this season.

After a formidable junior career, Hulkenberg started his Formula One career with Williams in 2010 and followed it with a year-long stint at Force One India. Hulkenberg left Sahara Force India to join Sauber this season. After his top five finishes in two of the last two races, expectations from Hulkenberg are high this season but regrettably, the young German does not have a drive next season.

Deals

Hulkenberg missed out a seat at Ferrari for the next season and is in running for a seat at Lotus, as a replacement for Finn Kimi Raikkonen. The future of the German driver is quite uncertain. It is rumoured that he might return to Force India or even sign a new deal with Sauber. But with Sauber planning to sign Sergery Sirotkin, it is highly doubtful that Hulkenberg will remain with Sauber for the next season.

It was also said that he would be signed by McLaren but McLaren’s team boss, Martin Whitmarsh denied these rumours. “We are not talking to Nico. He’s doing a good job and certainly deserves a competitive seat next year, but we’re not talking to Nico at the moment,” said Whitmarsh.

Hulkenberg is at the risk of missing out on a chance at a Formula One season but he seems fairly confident about his chances next season.

“These things take time. You speak to each other, you see what you come up with together and it’s the usual talks. There are no issues or nothing major, but like I said these things are a bit time consuming to finalize everything,” said Nico Hulkenberg.

Effect of new weight rules on his future

With the new rules in effect from 2014, Hulkenberg could even out a seat in any of the Formula One teams, because he is taller and heavier than other drivers in the grid now.

Nico Hulkenberg, who is 6 feet tall, could miss out a seat on any of the Formula One teams next season, as he is taller and heavier than most drivers on the grid now. He will have to jump through many hoops to switch as teams will be looking at heavier drivers sceptically.

The increase in combined weight of Formula One cars and drivers from 642 kilograms to 692 kilograms will make teams work to keep their weight on check, as running heavier cars will cost them time on circuit. Though the minimum weight has been raised, the most of it will be taken up by the new power units.

Even Formula One teams have emphasized on how destructive these heavy drivers will be on the performance of the team.

“The way it has worked out means the heavier drivers will be less attractive. It has happened by accident. We have raised the minimum weight but the new powertrains are heavier than people expected and now have a situation where heavier drivers could be a disadvantage,” said McLaren team Principal Martin Whitmarsh.

Nico Hulkenberg has generated a lot of accolades for his driving, after his nerve wrecking performance in the Korean Grand Prix. But these FIA rules might not allow him to drive next year, which is a shame because he is a talented driver and deserves a spot in a Formula One team next year.