It's a real shame all right. It's good that he's philosophical about it but he's what the sport needs right now. In such a rich sport, it's scandalous that money should be so tight for the teams that Hulk and others can't get a seat based on talent.
If he keeps producing like he has it'll be hard to ignore him, I think he'll end up in a Ferrari next season.
They have Alonso and Kimi, don't see Hulk displacing either of them. Also, any Quantum money for Lotus yet?
you're right, Ferrari will always have a one and two by mid-deason, and I can't see either of them playing 2nd fiddle, Kimi didn't last long last time he had to, and Alonso doesn't even like equal treatment, tbh I wouldn't be unsurprised to see Ferrari with 2 new drivers come 2015
Realistically I think we should remember that Lotus is the only top seat Hulkenberg stood a chance of actually getting. Ferrari going for Raikkonen is not surprising - he's a former WDC. Mclaren going for Magnussen is not surprising - he's one of their top rookies, they did the same for Hamilton in 2007, although I'll grant there was less competition then. Similarly Red Bull had to go for Ricciardo or there was no point having a young drivers' team in the first place. Lotus were the only team who we can really expect to have deliberated about it, and seeing as F1's become a short-term investment, their hand appears forced there. Maldonado had the good fortune to be born talented (and he is talented, and Grosjean too) and Venezuelan; the only thing you can blame is globalisation, perhaps, and in that case you'd be better off shaking your fist at the sky for all the good it will do. The main thing that's hurt Hulkenberg is Sauber's retrograde step in pace. If Sauber had been on the same pace they were on last season relative to the other teams, then Hulk would have been challenging for podiums and even, potentially, race wins, which is why I find it slightly ironic when the interviewer asks him about moving to a "top" team - at this stage last season, that's what he thought he was doing.
Sutil thinks he's in at Force India for 2014. Can'tsee the logic. He has been average at best this year with di Resta generally out racing him. I feel it is more a reflection on FI having had enough of di Resta's 'me me me' attitude if they keep Sutil rather than di Resta.
I like it when the smaller teams give a good rookie a chance, but the fact he's gone 4 seasons in GP2 with a best overall result of 6th doesn't fill me with confidence, even Chilton has a better record.
Back when Hulk was first touted with a return to FI , I am sure I read that FI wanted him to front the team for Merceds , so perhaps it's simply they want an all German line up ?
Vijay offered Hulk a 2 year contract back last year, but Di Resta would again have to be his partner as the consequence. If you remember Di Resta and Hulk were refusing to share data anymore with each other towards the end of the season so it was clear that they didn't like each other very much. Also Paul's first comment towards Hulk this year was something on the lines of: 'He won't have the benefit of team orders when we are close to each other again.' and trying to make out a variety of things that he couldn't beat him unless of team orders. It was also well known even in 2012 that the engineers vastly liked Hulk and disliked Paul for example, though because of his Mercedes contacts from DTM Force India were pretty much stuffed if they wanted a discount on Mercedes engines... What I think has happened: #1 Paul has lost his Mercedes backing now they have a great duo in Nico/Lewis. #2 After being screwed by Ferrari, Mercedes have capitalised on getting Hulk as possible future driver. #3 Sutil's money already covers Di Resta's previous engine price cut. #4 Engineers are threatening to leave to another team if Paul doesn't fk off. #5 After the threat of jumping to Ferrari engines it seems FI forced Mercedes to give them option of Hulk. #6 Di Resta's stock has fallen over the last couple of years, attitude and performance wise. 1,2,5,6 seem the most likely IMO.
Di Resta lost his Mercedes backing because Haug isn't there anymore. I'm not sure what Di Resta brought to FI but if did have any financial support from Mercedes, he won't have that support next year. FI's Merc powertrain deal for 2014 is because of Sutil.
Pirelli requests Formula 1 tyre test in Bahrain in December Pirelli has written to Formula 1 teams to ask if any of them will be willing to supply a car for a winter test in Bahrain. Amid concerns from F1's tyre supplier that it will not have enough track running time ahead of the first pre-season test at Jerez next January, it now wants help with a test in Bahrain next month. Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery confirmed that a request had now gone out, and he was optimistic there would be enough support for the test to take place.
I hope the powers that be take the financial hit for this ! IIRC part of the problem ( last year ) was the teams said to Pirelli " How much will you pay us " .
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111512 Well, that was unexpected... Perez to Lotus perhaps?
