Breaking news
Formula 1
Hulkenberg found Vasseur's Renault exit "hard to accept"
Former Renault F1 team principal Frederic Vasseur says new signing Nico Hulkenberg found it "hard to accept" the Frenchman's departure from the team.
Jamie Klein
Edited: Jan 14, 2017, 1:19 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
It was confirmed at the start of this week that Vasseur, who was appointed at the start of last season, had left the Enstone squad "by mutual consent".
The ART Grand Prix boss had been instrumental in convincing Hulkenberg, who raced for ART in Formula 3 and GP2, to move across from Force India to Renault for the 2017 season.
However, Vasseur admits the German driver didn't respond well when he was told of the news of the Frenchman's departure.
"I am close to Nico and I put a lot of efforts in getting him drive for Renault," Vasseur told Canal+ Sport. "I think my decision to leave the team was best because it was not working, it's clear.
"Nico and I talked a lot about my decision. He's been very supportive. My decision was hard for him to accept, but he is fully involved and he will give his best. That's a reason why I wanted him in the team.
"The team is being restructured and for me it was important to have a leader. Whatever may happen, Nico will act as a leader and pull the team forward. I think it's a crucial factor in the success of a team."
Vasseur re-affirmed his belief that Hulkenberg, who won the GP2 title with ART in 2009 ahead of his graduation to F1 the following year, has the potential to be world champion.
"I think he's one of the most talented drivers I've seen in the junior series for the past 10 years," said Vasseur of Hulkenberg.
"Only three drivers captured the GP2 title in their rookie season: Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Nico Hulkenberg. I think Nico is one of the few drivers who can win the world championship."
As for his own future, Vasseur - who also founded Formula E chassis supplier Spark Racing Technologies - was coy as to whether he may reappear with another F1 team down the line.
"I'm already involved in Formula E and I really enjoy it. I will continue to follow it despite the fact that I am less involved nowadays," said Vasseur when asked about his plans.
"I also have a team running in the GP2 Series [ART], but I'm not really concerned in its daily running.
"As far as Formula 1 is concerned, we'll see what the future holds."
Additional reporting by Fabien Gaillard
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 Tech analysis: Why Honda backtracked on its size-zero concept
Next article Inside Line F1 Podcast: Honouring the best of 2016 season
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Nico Hulkenberg
“Am I confident? Probably not” – The unprecedented challenge Singapore is throwing at F1 drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
“Am I confident? Probably not” – The unprecedented challenge Singapore is throwing at F1 drivers
“They build the best engines” – Audi F1 drivers reveal biggest limitation and how to address it
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
“They build the best engines” – Audi F1 drivers reveal biggest limitation and how to address it
More from
Renault F1 Team
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brazilian GP
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Latest news
LIVE: F1 Brazilian GP updates
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 min
LIVE: F1 Brazilian GP updates
WEC Monza: Cadillac wins chaotic finale, #8 Toyota seals drivers’ title
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
9 min
WEC Monza: Cadillac wins chaotic finale, #8 Toyota seals drivers’ title
Justin Allgaier is a Hall of Fame asset, nearing a Hall of Fame resume
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Homestead-Miami
24 min
Justin Allgaier is a Hall of Fame asset, nearing a Hall of Fame resume
LIVE: MotoGP Qatar GP: Commentary and updates
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
51 min
LIVE: MotoGP Qatar GP: Commentary and updates
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
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