Hulkenberg vs. Maldonado
Lotus Takes money instead of talent?
The lack of money is driving the team to irrational decisions when the driver choice. Sponsors are more important than talent. Therefore, Pastor Maldonado goes with better chances in the negotiations with Lotus when Nico Hulkenberg. Some say the deal was even fixed.
Nico Hulkenberg is a poor dog. Where he goes, he is put off. Because he has no sponsor in the back, who pays him a cockpit. The race for the last cockpits of Formula 1 for 2014 to race for the biggest dowry. And Pastor Maldonado has to offer. Supposedly, the Venezuelans, thanks to the support of PDVSA, the Venezuelan oil cartel between 35 and 50 million euros in the luggage. Although the new government in Venezuela freezes most sponsor deals in motor sports, but Maldonado seems to be untouchable. The winner of the 2012 Spanish GP is a hero in his homeland.
Williams gets severance pay and Massa
Bad luck that he contracts with PDVSA and Williams 2015 only. Claire Williams had travelled to Caracas in advance of the Japanese GP. Allegedly discussed the conditions under which Maldonado and his sponsor prematurely come from the contracts. It is said that PDVSA has a wholesome severance.
This would give Williams room at the drivers choice. One need not necessarily bring one of money. A two-year deal with Felipe Massa will be nearing completion. If the Brazilian oil company Petrobras brings money in tow, the better. Williams has long been negotiated with his former partners fuel.
Dries up the source of Quantum?
So that Maldonado would be free for Lotus. Like last year, bad news from Enstone penetrate to the outside. The money was scarce, wages were not paid, the production lie on ice, it would have accumulated more than 100 million euros in debt and the engineers ran in droves over the competition. Whether deliberately spread rumors or true, is difficult to judge from the outside.
Team owner Gerard Lopez replied: "People can not expect most debt I have with myself." The funny thing is that Lotus brought new parts to the car in the last race. The longer wheelbase is only one example. Side boxes with new flow organizers another. Somewhere yet to be money.
The fact is that Lotus in 2014 fresh money need if you are in the future with Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes wants to ride. A lot of money. An Arab investor named Quantum should bring for 35 percent of the team in the next five years, $ 270 million. That would have been for Lopez of winning the lottery. However, the payment of money drags on. Perhaps the source dries up completely.
Maldonado is Hulkenberg in the way
This is a great opportunity Maldonado. Therefore it is on the list of candidates at Lotus in the first place. And Nico Hulkenberg has moved into second place. He can only offer its services on the track and have to hope for a miracle. Paid for the quantity or a big sponsor docks.
But miracles are rare in this sport. The technology race is a voracious octopus. Because sponsors are scarce, drivers are to sponsors. Team boss Eric Boullier publicly urged Lopez to ensure clarity, so you can finally commit the drivers for 2014. Even Romain Grosjean has no commitment.
Some claim that Maldonado has a leg to Lotus cockpit. And that Hulkenberg has the choice to either go for Force India and Sauber. A tough choice. You could also read: Which engine is better in 2014, from the Mercedes or Ferrari?