Eric Boullier has confirmed that Lotus is currently in talks with Pastor Maldonado over a race drive in 2014.
The Frenchman confirmed that the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix race winner is in contention, but admitted that Nico Hulkenberg is his preferred choice.
He also revealed over the Indian Grand Prix weekend that Lotus is closing in on its 2014 driver pairing. Asked how close the team is to signing their line-up for next season, he said during the official FIA team principal press conference: "Hopefully a few days."
Boullier also confirmed that Romain Grosjean will remain at the Enstone based squad next season: "Romain has a contract signed anyway for next year. It’s just, say, a matter of confirmation. We are being prudent after last obviously. But I think it’s on its way to be confirmed soon."
Talking to media at the Buddh International Circuit, he confirmed to Sky Sports News that Pastor Maldonado is in contention for the second race seat. "We had discussions with him, yes, it's true," Boullier said. "They are still going on."
Kimi Raikkonen will leave the team and re-join Ferrari for 2014, opening up the only vacant seat at the front of the grid. Maldonado, Massa and Hulkenberg are thought to be the top contenders.
However the latter is his preferred choice, confirming that he put the German driver's name forward to the Lotus board.
Asked who the next big thing in Formula 1 is by the sports official website, he replied: "Nico Hulkenberg... I would love to [sign him]. This is the recommendation that I gave to my board."
Despite recent worries surrounding the 2014 minimum weight limit, Boullier believes that Hulkenberg's taller frame won't be an issue if he is signed for next season: "It would matter if you have a problem over weight with the car. I believe we will not have that problem."
Meanwhile Felipe Massa confirmed over the Indian Grand Prix weekend that he talking to several teams, including Williams. His current race engineer Rob Smedley is rumoured to be moving to the team for 2014 and the Brazilian could follow suit.
However, the driver market currently hinges on Lotus and the move that they make. Once that seat is filled, the remaining drivers can squabble for the last remaining seats in the midfield. One thing is for certain, the grid will look very different in 2014.
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
He also revealed over the Indian Grand Prix weekend that Lotus is closing in on its 2014 driver pairing. Asked how close the team is to signing their line-up for next season, he said during the official FIA team principal press conference: "Hopefully a few days."
Boullier also confirmed that Romain Grosjean will remain at the Enstone based squad next season: "Romain has a contract signed anyway for next year. It’s just, say, a matter of confirmation. We are being prudent after last obviously. But I think it’s on its way to be confirmed soon."
Talking to media at the Buddh International Circuit, he confirmed to Sky Sports News that Pastor Maldonado is in contention for the second race seat. "We had discussions with him, yes, it's true," Boullier said. "They are still going on."
Kimi Raikkonen will leave the team and re-join Ferrari for 2014, opening up the only vacant seat at the front of the grid. Maldonado, Massa and Hulkenberg are thought to be the top contenders.
However the latter is his preferred choice, confirming that he put the German driver's name forward to the Lotus board.
Asked who the next big thing in Formula 1 is by the sports official website, he replied: "Nico Hulkenberg... I would love to [sign him]. This is the recommendation that I gave to my board."
Despite recent worries surrounding the 2014 minimum weight limit, Boullier believes that Hulkenberg's taller frame won't be an issue if he is signed for next season: "It would matter if you have a problem over weight with the car. I believe we will not have that problem."
Meanwhile Felipe Massa confirmed over the Indian Grand Prix weekend that he talking to several teams, including Williams. His current race engineer Rob Smedley is rumoured to be moving to the team for 2014 and the Brazilian could follow suit.
However, the driver market currently hinges on Lotus and the move that they make. Once that seat is filled, the remaining drivers can squabble for the last remaining seats in the midfield. One thing is for certain, the grid will look very different in 2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.