Official: Nico Hülkenberg will be with Sauber in 2013

For many weeks, the paddock has been buzzing with rumors about a possible transfer of Nico Hülkenberg to Sauber. The rumors intensified after the announcement of Sergio Pérez’s departure to McLaren. The significant difficulties faced by Vijay Mallya, the owner of his current employer, also added fuel to the fire for those who saw him moving on to other horizons.

It is now official as Sauber has confirmed that Nico Hülkenberg will be one of their drivers for the next season. Monisha Kaltenborn, the new team principal, stated: « We have been observing Nico for some time now and his performances have been very impressive. This was already the case in GP2 and it has continued in Formula One. This was highlighted when he took pole position in Interlagos in 2010 despite the most challenging external conditions. He has clearly shown that he knows how to seize opportunities when they arise. But highlights are one thing, teamwork is another, and I also have confidence in Nico on this point. I am sure he will adapt very well to the Sauber F1 Team. We look forward to working with him. »

This transfer appears ideal for both parties. Indeed, Sauber has experienced significant progression on the track with the four podiums recorded this season. The Swiss team is even in a position to threaten Mercedes’s place in the World Championship, which is no small feat given the budget differences between the two organizations. With the 2009 GP2 champion, they are securing the services of a very talented young driver who wants to establish himself at the highest level.

However, this appointment now raises the question of his teammate. Indeed, the team has refused to disclose the name of its second driver, which fuels rumors that Kamui Kobayashi might be on his way out as the Swiss management wishes to satisfy their major Mexican sponsors and could therefore decide to promote their third driver, Esteban Gutiérrez. He is coming off a good season in GP2 with Lotus, where he finished third.

As for Force India, they are now in search of a new driver. Naturally, there are many candidates for this seat, as it is one of the most competitive still available on the market. One of the natural candidates is Jules Bianchi, as he is already their third driver and has proven his worth during Friday morning practice sessions. He is also the vice-champion of Formula Renault 3.5, following a very contentious finale against his rival for the title, with a collision that denied him the crown. However, the Frenchman will have to compete against other candidates such as Adrian Sutil, Sébastien Buemi, and possibly Jaime Alguersuari… The coming weeks are expected to remain ripe with announcements regarding rumors and transfers.

With the participation of www.Racingbusiness.fr