Maldonado linked to Hulkenberg’s Williams seat
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| Nico Hulkenberg |
10/13/10 (GMM) Williams' decision about whether to retain Nico Hulkenberg for next season is not imminent.
While Rubens Barrichello is believed to have agreed terms for a second season with the British team, German rookie Hulkenberg's future is less secure.
It is rumored Williams is looking into replacing him for 2011 with Pastor Maldonado, Hulkenberg's new successor as GP2 champion and substantially backed within Venezuela.
Barrichello admitted last month that the team was "analyzing the Nico Hulkenberg situation" before scheduling an announcement about 2011.
Asked if Hulkenberg is still in favor at the Grove based team, chief executive Adam Parr answered: "Absolutely."
But asked for details about the delayed confirmation of the team's next lineup, he answered: "I cannot go into that," adding that he doesn't know when an announcement will be made.
Asked if the 'cards are in the air' regarding Williams' driver lineup at present, he admitted: "I am afraid they are at the moment."
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| Pastor Maldonado |
10/07/10 (GMM) 2010 rookie Nico Hulkenberg's race seat at Williams is in doubt for next season, according to Italian reports.
The Autosprint magazine claims the British independent team is set to lose four sponsors at once, including RBS and Philips.
At the same time, it is rumored that German Hulkenberg's famous manager Willi Weber is asking Sir Frank Williams for a pay-rise for his 23-year-old charge.
The first name mentioned as a potential new teammate for Rubens Barrichello is Pastor Maldonado, who is set to succeed Hulkenberg as the new GP2 champion.
25-year-old Venezuelan Maldonado, backed by state oil company PDVSA, had hoped to go to Sauber, who have instead signed the Telmex-sponsored Sergio Perez.
Williams' third co-owner Toto Wolff said last weekend that he is not expecting a "lightening fast decision" about the team's 2011 drivers.
"I feel quite comfortable about our (current) driver lineup," he told Kleine Zeitung newspaper.