Fernando Alonso believes Nico Hulkenberg is one of the best drivers on the 2013 grid.
The Spaniard thinks he deserves a drive with a top team. Hulkenberg had a difficult start to his first year with Sauber but has performed strongly in the second half of the season.
Alonso previously praised the 26-year-old after his impressive defensive drive to fourth place at the Korean Grand Prix last month. It was best result of the season and equals his previous best result from the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix.
After scoring points in five of the last seven races, he has leaped to 11th in the drivers' standings and just one point behind 10th place man Paul di Resta.
Alonso isn't surprised by the German driver's form, saying he has known since his debut season with Williams in 2010. "For me Nico is one of the best drivers on the grid," he told media in Brazil.
"I said that three years ago, and now everyone seems to have discovered him."
He added: "He is doing a great job, [which] I think is no surprise – he was doing an amazing job [in 2010 with Williams]. Getting pole position here [in Brazil], in difficult conditions, was a sign of his talent.
"Hopefully we see him in a competitive car in the future."
Hulkenberg is currently battling to stay on the grid in 2014. He has been strongly linked to Raikkonen's vacant seat at Lotus and despite a contract being on the table, it all hinges on the team's deal with investment consortium Quantum Motorsports.
Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn confirmed in the Circuit of the Americas paddock over the United States Grand Prix weekend that there is a seat available to him next year if he wants it, and a return to Force India is also an option.
 |
| (c) Sauber F1 Team |
Alonso previously praised the 26-year-old after his impressive defensive drive to fourth place at the Korean Grand Prix last month. It was best result of the season and equals his previous best result from the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix.
After scoring points in five of the last seven races, he has leaped to 11th in the drivers' standings and just one point behind 10th place man Paul di Resta.
Alonso isn't surprised by the German driver's form, saying he has known since his debut season with Williams in 2010. "For me Nico is one of the best drivers on the grid," he told media in Brazil.
"I said that three years ago, and now everyone seems to have discovered him."
He added: "He is doing a great job, [which] I think is no surprise – he was doing an amazing job [in 2010 with Williams]. Getting pole position here [in Brazil], in difficult conditions, was a sign of his talent.
"Hopefully we see him in a competitive car in the future."
Hulkenberg is currently battling to stay on the grid in 2014. He has been strongly linked to Raikkonen's vacant seat at Lotus and despite a contract being on the table, it all hinges on the team's deal with investment consortium Quantum Motorsports.
Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn confirmed in the Circuit of the Americas paddock over the United States Grand Prix weekend that there is a seat available to him next year if he wants it, and a return to Force India is also an option.
No comments:
Post a Comment