Nico Hulkenberg insists he is not looking to rev up his own formula one career by cheering for Red Bull to depart.
If the engine supply crisis does see Red Bull and Toro Rosso left without ‘power units’ for 2016, F1 might need to plug the gaps in the grid by asking some teams to field third cars. It is believed existing contracts between Bernie Ecclestone and Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren already refer to the three-car scenario, which would open up a fascinating last-minute rush on the driver market to secure the seats.
And Hulkenberg, one of the most highly rated drivers on the grid who currently drives for the midfield outfit Force India, might be a top candidate. Asked if, as his own manager, he is already pursing that possibility, the 28-year-old said: “No, I have heard nothing about it. “In terms of formula one, I would prefer to see Red Bull and Toro Rosso stay in the sport, but that is of course highly political and I don’t know how it is going to end up.”
Hulkenberg was being interviewed by the German tabloid Sonntag-Express, after the German automobile club ADAC declared him the motor sportsman of the year. It means he beat fellow German drivers like Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel to the prize, with Hulkenberg commenting: “That’s cool and definitely pleasing. “It’s nice to see that the experts appreciate and recognise my achievements in formula one and Le Mans.”
