Rumor
Formula 1
Hot rumour - Hulkenberg's future now secure
It does appear that Nico Hulkenberg will be with the Lotus F1 team in 2014
GMM
Edited: Oct 14, 2013, 8:41 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Oct.14 (GMM) The hot rumour at Suzuka after Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix is that Nico Hulkenberg's future is now secure.
"The German will team up with (Romain) Grosjean," announced Italy's authoritative La Gazzetta dello Sport, hinting at Lotus' 2014 lineup.
Some well-connected paddock figures, however, think a return to Force India will be Hulkenberg's next move, while others say remaining at Sauber also has not been ruled out.
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, now a full-time pundit for British television BBC, said on Sunday he is "certain" Hulkenberg has signed for Force India.
Hulkenberg gave nothing away.
"My future will sort itself in a couple of weeks," he said, denying he has "signed anything" for 2014.
But another British pundit, the former F1 driver Martin Brundle, said on Sunday he has heard that Hulkenberg has definitely signed a deal for 2014.
Brundle however refused to say for what team, explaining that the reason people confide in him is that they know he will not breach that confidence.
Brundle made the comments in the presence of Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn, who insists Hulkenberg remains an "option" for the Hinwil based team in 2014.
A report by the German-language Spiegel said a move to Lotus is on the cards for Hulkenberg, but the 26-year-old is "waiting until after the talks with Sauber before making a decision".
Much more certain is that Romain Grosjean is staying at Lotus next year, particularly after yet another strong drive to the podium at Suzuka on Sunday.
Exactly a year ago, Mark Webber wrote off the Frenchman as F1's 'first lap nutcase', but on Sunday he was much more complimentary.
"We're not here to blow smoke up his arse," said the always-blunt Australian, "but in the end he's doing a very good job this year."
Lotus boss Eric Boullier said re-signing Grosjean is now just a formality.
"I need to get the written permission of my board but then we'll see," he said.
Indeed, Grosjean's form might be giving Ferrari food for thought, as the Frenchman seems to be consistently outperforming its 2014 signing, Kimi Raikkonen.
Former F1 driver turned French pundit Patrick Tambay said Grosjean is riding a wave of new confidence.
"Everything started for him since the announcement of Raikkonen's departure next season," he told RMC Sport.
"There was also transfer of psychological and technical support, and (Grosjean) has reached a new level," added Tambay.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Brawn issues clear Mercedes quit threat
Next article Mercedes vows to match Renault's engine trickery
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Kimi Raikkonen
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
More from
Ferrari
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Latest news
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 9 h
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
9 h
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
9 h
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
15 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe