Nico Hulkenberg 2017

[anonymous-user]

The Hulk might be moving to Renault.

Force India have been very impressive again this year so it is a big risk.

But saying that he will be number 1 driver at a works team.

Thoughts??

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126605...

[deadslow]

Renault have winning DNA, but it will be a long project. I hope he goes.

[El Guapo]

I think his stock has dropped, looking at his results compared to Perez. Or maybe Perez is better than he has been given credit for. Either way, a move to Renault would pay off if he can be patient.

[Jasandjules]

See ya later...........

[Mr_Thyroid]

It's unlikely that Force India will be in contention for more than the occasional podium during Hulk's career. With the rule changes next year it could be a good move but Renault are still unlikely to be the best Renault powered team.

[FW18]

A good move for the Hulk, but I think that he needs to make the most of this move otherwise he will end up as another Heidfeld if he's not careful.

[bunglesprout]

The planets have never quite aligned for Hulkenberg. I think it's a fair gamble for him to go to Renault. They will certainly become more competitive over the next few seasons, and may give him a car to fight for wins/championships. Or, Renault may implode in a cloud of politics and in-fighting and pull the plug.

I doubt staying at Force India is going to further his career much more though.

[Crafty_]

Renault are desperate to get a decent, experienced driver in the car so they can re-establish the team. They had Perez on the hook, but he was allegedly put off by the bickering thats going on - seems there is one too many chiefs at Renault and they are all jostling for the control / power. This is apparently causing a bit of paralysis when it comes to decision making. Magnussen expressed his frustration to the media a couple of races ago because he wasn't getting answers from them.

I think Hulk would be a good man to have in the team, but he should ensure he's got a long contract - it could easily be 2019 before they are regular front runners (if ever). He could easily be overlooked by teams at that time, so should be prepared for this to be his last seat. 3 year +1 on an option ?

The other thing that is interesting is what will Force India do if he does go ? Wehrlein and do a deal on engines ? Palmer because he's got a few quid ? Haryanto ? Ocon ?

[AXlawrence]

Good move, it's probably the only way he's ever going to win a race. Can't see ferrari (though when are THEY gonna win again...?) or any other top team ever signing him now.

Just hope force india don't promote Celis to replace him. Wehrlein or magnussen must be in with a good shot. Does Giovanazzi have the backing if he wins GP2?

[thegreenhell]

Crafty_ said:

Renault are desperate to get a decent, experienced driver in the car so they can re-establish the team. They had Perez on the hook, but he was allegedly put off by the bickering thats going on - seems there is one too many chiefs at Renault and they are all jostling for the control / power. This is apparently causing a bit of paralysis when it comes to decision making. Magnussen expressed his frustration to the media a couple of races ago because he wasn't getting answers from them.

Joe Saward hinted that James Allison has turned them down for the same reason.

[skeggysteve]

Twitter reports from Bild saying that Hulk has signed a 2 year deal with Renault.

Can't see the reason behind this, if it true, current FI car is a lot quicker than the Renault.

Maybe Hulk knows that we don't!

[aadhay]

the ceiling is much higher at Renault - not sure how many more chances Hunk will have, but now's probably the time to do it. Hope he goes and does well.

[glazbagun]

aadhay said:

the ceiling is much higher at Renault - not sure how many more chances Hunk will have, but now's probably the time to do it. Hope he goes and does well.

That's how I see it. Slim chance of being in Nico Rosbergs position in a few years beats a certain chance of being in Massa's. FI have been great, but who can ever see them cracking the top three for more than a lucky season?

[housen]

lets not forget

im sure hell get a decent pay rise

not mega money but driving a f1 car and getting decent salary is like free money

plus what's his loss ...stay at fi and be in the middle of the pack

or move for more money and security and Renault may build a great car ....may.....but what's the downside ?

[patmahe]

housen said:

lets not forget

im sure hell get a decent pay rise

not mega money but driving a f1 car and getting decent salary is like free money

plus what's his loss ...stay at fi and be in the middle of the pack

or move for more money and security and Renault may build a great car ....may.....but what's the downside ?

Exactly, remember they bought an undeveloped Lotus late on last year, you can be pretty sure they haven't invested much in it since. They will have been focused on 2017 since early this year I'd say and could be a surprise package next year, look at where Red Bull are using their engine. Don't forget they were world champions not that long ago too with Alonso so they know how to get there.

I'm delighted for Hulkenberg as I think he is underrated by most (or overrated by me) and comes across as a really nice guy, this is his shot at the bigtime and he needed to roll the dice, Force India do a great job with the resources available but are unlikely to be a Championship winning team within Hulkenbergs career span Renault is the better bet.

[bunglesprout]

Offically reported now on Autosport and elsewhere that Hulkenberg has signed 2 + 1 deal. Also seems that Bottas is negotiating with Renault as Williams are dragging their heels; they want him to sign a two year deal, he wants a single year. If Renault can sign Hulkenberg and Bottas that will be an impressive bit of negotiation considering the rumoured turmoil behind the scenes.

Who would replace Bottas at Williams? Nasr because of his Brazilian money? Personally, I would like to see Kvyat there, I think he is a huge talent that would thrive in an atmosphere like Williams.

[groomi]

bunglesprout said:

Who would replace Bottas at Williams?..Personally, I would like to see Kvyat there, I think he is a huge talent that would thrive in an atmosphere like Williams.

I agree. There's no doubt that Kvyat is a high quality driver as he was just beginning to prove earlier this season. Red Bull treated him terribly (although looking at Verstappen, you can understand why) and Kvyat has been crushed. He needs to get away from the Red Bull 'family' and Williams would be a great team to give him back his confidence. I imagine it could be a cheap deal for them as he's hardly hot property at the moment and Red Bull might like to get rid of him without looking even more evil.

On another note, Williams really need to deliver something in 2017. A couple of seasons ago you got the feeling that several of the upper level drivers would have jumped at a seat had one been available, but now nobody seems to be fighting over the seats.

[rubystone]

AXlawrence said:

Good move, it's probably the only way he's ever going to win a race. Can't see ferrari (though when are THEY gonna win again...?) or any other top team ever signing him now.

Just hope force india don't promote Celis to replace him. Wehrlein or magnussen must be in with a good shot. Does Giovanazzi have the backing if he wins GP2?

They need money. Gio doesn't have the level of backing required, even if Sean's old man is massively minted.

So Wehrlein has to be where the smart money is.

[Crafty_]

I think its probably a good move for Hulk and I agree that as a factory team there is real potential to move forwards. Don't forget they have Bob Bell back there who has a low profile but its a very experienced and talented engineer/manager.

Force India are kind of stuck in a loop, if they want to move forwards a little its probably going to need a 50% budget increase, to get right up front probably 150% increase. Given Mr Mallya's current situation and that of Subrata Roy you do have to wonder where the team's future will be.

Williams have always had a stuffy attitude, I read Webber's book a while ago and just finished Damon Hill's and its quite clear that whilst Williams have this "little family team with a fighting spirit" image of themselves, the reality is that its quite a difficult place for an employee (and as a driver you are regarded as that, no more, no less).
McLaren tend to have this austere, cold image but from what I can work out on the inside its a much warmer "family" type of environment.
Damon summed up Williams as an engineering company who happened to go racing, which still seems true today.

Its been rumoured for a bit that Lance Stroll (F3 champ) will be at Williams next year for 35 million reasons. If he is it will be interesting as he's not shy of getting his elbows out (to put it lightly..) so stewards may have interesting times next year. They tentatively suggested they'd like Button but realistically would never be able to pay his demands. Nasr was mentioned a while back (Banco De Brasil money) but I've not heard any more.

Intrigued to see what Force India do now. Kmag/Ericsson/Nasr/Wehrlein/Ocon ? I wonder if they could get Gasly to break ranks if STR keep Kvyat ?

Edited by Crafty_ on Friday 14th October 17:45

[Bradgate]

I'm pleased for Hulkenburg, he is clearly a fine driver and seems like a good bloke. If the reports of the salary Renault are paying him are correct ($20m) they have clearly made him a financial offer he can't refuse.

Given their respective results over that last couple of years, It's interesting that he, and not Perez has got the opportunity to drive for a factory team. Perez is beating Hulk fair and square this season, and has won four career podiums, compared to Hulk's none.