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Sauber confirm Nico Hulkenberg for 2013 [split]


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#1 cooper

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 09:03

The Hulk is off to Sauber for 2013.. Interesting stuff http://www.sauberf1t...enberg_for_2013

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#2 Jovanotti

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 09:09

Very good choice! Now just keep Kobayashi...

#3 Baddoer

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 09:15

1 team change per year, I guess he will be somewhere else in 2014

Edited by Baddoer, 31 October 2012 - 09:15.


#4 HuddersfieldTerrier1986

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 09:19

1 team change per year, I guess he will be somewhere else in 2014


May not have changed teams each year if Williams hadn't dumped him for Maldonado and the big money he brings (and being honest, the money likely was the deciding factor then).

#5 cooper

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 09:28

1 team change per year, I guess he will be somewhere else in 2014

Ferrari could have their eyes on him for 2014?

#6 sofarapartguy

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 09:52

Soooooo....

As I said before - that might be clever stuff from Nico considering Mallya's issues. Still, would've loved seing him in Macca.

Anyway, GL Nico! Glad you've made pretty awesome comeback into F1!

Edited by sofarapartguy, 31 October 2012 - 09:53.


#7 David Lightman

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:05

Di Resta is crying in his bedroom apparently.

#8 Alarcon

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:07

Well, Sauber is not a "top team" and imo Hulk is a "top driver". Di Resta too (even if I think Nico has "something else").

I would like to see him at RB with Seb, or at Ferrari against Alonso. But I have the feeling he took Sauber waiting for Mercedes 2014 (with Lewis).

McLaren lost the oportunity with him, but they proved they don´t have any idea about allowing Lewis go away and taking Perez (imo an average driver).

Edited by Alarcon, 31 October 2012 - 10:10.


#9 mich

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:13

I heard Ferrari asked Sauber to get Hulk because Ferrari wants to see whether he is worthy of 2014 Ferrari's driver.

#10 Alarcon

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:17

I heard Ferrari asked Sauber to get Hulk because Ferrari wants to see whether he is worthy of 2014 Ferrari's driver.


Well that can be possible!

However imo what they need more. They have a poor driver as Massa (one of the worst drivers on the grid), and Nico has proven on a midfield team and against an amazing rival as Di Resta he has enough to achieve a WDC.

I have any doubt Nico would be a WDC if you provide him a top team and a top car.

Edited by Alarcon, 31 October 2012 - 10:17.


#11 sofarapartguy

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:17

I heard Ferrari asked Sauber to get Hulk because Ferrari wants to see whether he is worthy of 2014 Ferrari's driver.

Souce please.

Interesting offer I must say. But thing is that by 2014 Hulk might have more options than just Ferrari: joining RB would be awesome in my eyes.

#12 sofarapartguy

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:20

Sauber@13 >> Red Bull@14 would make sense to me.

After 2011 I'm soooo glad Nico is back on the grid and doing such a great stuff! Good Luck Hulk!

#13 Baddoer

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:21

May not have changed teams each year if Williams hadn't dumped him for Maldonado and the big money he brings (and being honest, the money likely was the deciding factor then).

Maldo seems like a bigger deal now to be honest.

#14 PayasYouRace

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:30

It's an interesting move. Going by this year it's a step up but I wouldn't consider Sauber a guarantee of a better car than the Force India. I would hope that he has something in his pocket for the future, that either Ferrari or Red Bull have their eyes on him. He could very easily get trapped in Heidfeld Hell in midfield teams.

#15 A.Fant

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:50

May not have changed teams each year if Williams hadn't dumped him for Maldonado and the big money he brings (and being honest, the money likely was the deciding factor then).


Williams needed the PDVSA sponsorship and Maldonado was a lock for a 2011 seat. There was a discussion whether they would keep Rubens or Nico, but they felt Rubens experience would be more valuable. In hindsight that was probably the wrong decision since the FW33 was such a dog, and whatever Rubens could bring to the team that year made little difference.

But even if they kept Nico for 2011, it is not certain they could afford to keep him on for 2012 over Bruno and his sponsors, but I'd like to think they would have.

Smart move from Nico moving to Sauber by the way. No top seats were available and even if you disregard the dark clouds hanging over FI, Sauber was a more competitive team this year. Factor in all the uncertainty surrounding FI and the move looks even better.

#16 decoder

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 10:52

Well that can be possible!

However imo what they need more. They have a poor driver as Massa (one of the worst drivers on the grid),


He has achieved more and beaten better team mates than Webber ever has.

#17 Sakae

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 11:53

I heard Ferrari asked Sauber to get Hulk because Ferrari wants to see whether he is worthy of 2014 Ferrari's driver.

What's in it for Sauber?

#18 sofarapartguy

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 11:54

What's in it for Sauber?

Engines?

#19 goingthedistance

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 11:56

Subsidized engines?

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#20 majkel

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 12:01

at RB with Seb
at Ferrari against Alonso.

Double standards in every post :)
Good move for both Hulk and Sauber.

Hulk is good material, much better than di Rest IMO.

#21 dau

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 12:06

It's an interesting move. Going by this year it's a step up but I wouldn't consider Sauber a guarantee of a better car than the Force India. I would hope that he has something in his pocket for the future, that either Ferrari or Red Bull have their eyes on him. He could very easily get trapped in Heidfeld Hell in midfield teams.

With all the financial turmoil surrounding Force India, Sauber seems to be a better bet for the future.

#22 Sakae

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 12:18

Is Sauber staying with Ferrari engines? I thought that was off for 2013. (I still have difficulty to accept that Ferrari has that leverage over Sauber and "force them" to take Hulk on, unless there is some significant trade off).

#23 amppatel

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 12:22

Did FI have a contract with NH? If so would Sauber have to buy that contract out?

#24 sofarapartguy

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 12:26

You gonna love it.

According to AMuS, Webber and Nico didn't get Ferrari drive because of their... height! Mark and Hulk are 184 cm both while FA is 171 cm and Fm is 166 cm. Engineers would have to rebuilt the 2013 car so it could suit to a such tall drivers.

On the other hand that doesn't explain why Ferrari didn't go for Perez but that is OT.

Edited by sofarapartguy, 31 October 2012 - 12:29.


#25 Sakae

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 12:31

Did FI have a contract with NH? If so would Sauber have to buy that contract out?

I think that he used escape clause because of low performance by FI.

Edited by Sakae, 31 October 2012 - 12:32.


#26 MrMontecarlo

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 14:20

Well that can be possible!

However imo what they need more. They have a poor driver as Massa (one of the worst drivers on the grid), and Nico has proven on a midfield team and against an amazing rival as Di Resta he has enough to achieve a WDC.

I have any doubt Nico would be a WDC if you provide him a top team and a top car.


Really? A proven race winner who nearly won the WDC?

Edited by MrMontecarlo, 31 October 2012 - 14:20.


#27 Fastcake

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 14:34

Well there we go. Doesn't seem to be much of an improvement at all but perhaps Sauber is the stabler team at the moment.


Is Sauber staying with Ferrari engines? I thought that was off for 2013. (I still have difficulty to accept that Ferrari has that leverage over Sauber and "force them" to take Hulk on, unless there is some significant trade off).


A big pile of money, in the form of not paying full price for the engines, gets Ferrari whatever they want. And yes, why would they change engines a year before the new ones come in?

#28 kosmos

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 15:10

I heard Ferrari asked Sauber to get Hulk because Ferrari wants to see whether he is worthy of 2014 Ferrari's driver.


Because they can't see if he is worth in Force India? :confused: . That theory could work with Bianchi, I don't think it works for Hulk. Anyway, let's hope Sauber is competitive next year, I really want him to do well.

#29 FenderJaguar

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 15:12

Really? A proven race winner who nearly won the WDC?


that's history and he had everyone working for him. in 2012 Massa has been driving poor for several seasons in a row.

Nico Hulkenberg has made a great move. Sauber has taken the right decision. Good for Nico to get out of Force India and good for Sauber to get a really good driver. And Sauber is a good route to get into the top teams.

#30 Sakae

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 15:25

Well there we go. Doesn't seem to be much of an improvement at all but perhaps Sauber is the stabler team at the moment.




A big pile of money, in the form of not paying full price for the engines, gets Ferrari whatever they want. And yes, why would they change engines a year before the new ones come in?

You are correct; that (rumored/potential) switch must be in 2014. It came up about the same time when VW met with P. Sauber (about an undisclosed issue).

Edited by Sakae, 31 October 2012 - 15:30.


#31 aray

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 15:30

I think that he used escape clause because of low performance by FI.

:rotfl:
i doubt he had such luxury when FI took him..they practically saved his career.... :smoking:

don't get me wrong, he is a winner material for sure....
but he was saved from the onslaught from pay-drivers by FI....

#32 Sakae

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 15:34

:rotfl:
i doubt he had such luxury when FI took him..they practically saved his career.... :smoking:

don't get me wrong, he is a winner material for sure....
but he was saved from the onslaught from pay-drivers by FI....


Cooper

While the German has been linked with the job for some weeks, it only became official after Force India failed to be ahead of Sauber and in the top six in the World Championship after the Indian GP, which eased the German’s passage out of his current contract.



http://formula-one.s...sauber-for-2013


#33 aray

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 15:42

@Sakae,
never heard of that clause...also the season is yet to end...how do you know things will stay same till the end??...:confused:...all FI need is two back to back 4th place finish and sauber DNFs,and they will be ahead....
i don't think they will finish ahead of sauber at the end,but if there was such clause then it's only come in effect at the end of the season....he will hardly have to chance to bargain until then..
so that article is quite self contradictory.....need more confirmation...

#34 Vickyy

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 15:43

Cooper

it only became official after Force India failed to be ahead of Sauber and in the top six in the World Championship after the Indian GP, which eased the German’s passage out of his current contract.


That was the stupidest comment of the day.


#35 Sakae

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 16:02

@Sakae,
never heard of that clause...also the season is yet to end...how do you know things will stay same till the end??...:confused:...all FI need is two back to back 4th place finish and sauber DNFs,and they will be ahead....
i don't think they will finish ahead of sauber at the end,but if there was such clause then it's only come in effect at the end of the season....he will hardly have to chance to bargain until then..
so that article is quite self contradictory.....need more confirmation...


I said earlier on that Hulk probably used an escape clause in his contract; I saw the article later, but I have not further interest to do any research on that subject. What's done is done, regardless how it was done. I am however more interested where does that leaves Kamui?

#36 RockyRaccoon68

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 16:04

I hope the Sauber is a good next year as it was this year, Hulkenberg would have done a superb job in a car that good IMO.

#37 bub

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 16:21

Good choice by Sauber. At least as good as Pérez imo.

#38 tarmac

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 16:31

No james key for sauber. I think they will swap places with toro rosso in performance

#39 PayasYouRace

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 16:43

With all the financial turmoil surrounding Force India, Sauber seems to be a better bet for the future.


That is true. Sauber do have some stability in the short term, and that might be all that the Hulk needs.

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#40 Slowinfastout

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 16:53

IMO it's a bit chickenshit from Sauber to announce Hulkenberg and not take the opportunity to clarify Kobayashi's situation.

Kobayashi is definitely on the way out I think, as it's not fair that the Force-India guy with one less championship point gets to have the secure mind to finish off the season, while leaving your own driver fighting for his life.

#41 Anders Torp

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 17:30

i don't think they will finish ahead of sauber at the end,but if there was such clause then it's only come in effect at the end of the season....he will hardly have to chance to bargain until then..

I believe such clauses usually come into effect before the end of the season. It would be pretty pointless to become a free agent only after the last race when most, if not all, good seats are already taken.


#42 amppatel

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 17:41

I believe such clauses usually come into effect before the end of the season. It would be pretty pointless to become a free agent only after the last race when most, if not all, good seats are already taken.


Well it would be silly for FI to give Hulk that sort of freedom, they had the upper hand because he needed the seat, so surely they would not have something like that in the contract?

#43 Sanman59

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 17:46


It seems he was too tall for Ferrari

http://www.yallaf1.c...ll-for-ferrari/

:rotfl:

#44 Anders Torp

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 17:49

Well it would be silly for FI to give Hulk that sort of freedom, they had the upper hand because he needed the seat, so surely they would not have something like that in the contract?

Well, he has signed for Sauber, hasn't he? So for some reason he has had exactly that freedom.

#45 amppatel

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 18:05

Well, he has signed for Sauber, hasn't he? So for some reason he has had exactly that freedom.


Maybe they paid for him?

#46 Ferrari2183

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 18:11

I like Hoonkelbert (Alonso called him that in 2010). Think he is a better proposition than both Massa and Perez.

#47 RealRacing

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 18:34

Would be funny if Hulk beats Massa in the Sauber...

#48 Fastcake

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Posted 31 October 2012 - 22:47

You are correct; that (rumored/potential) switch must be in 2014. It came up about the same time when VW met with P. Sauber (about an undisclosed issue).


That would make sense, if VW ever decide to make the move.

#49 WatchingF1since4yearsold

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 08:10

Would be funny if Hulk beats Massa in the Sauber...


barring Ferrari having an awful car or Massa having his early season form all season there is 0 chance of that.

#50 decoder

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 08:16

Would be funny if Hulk beats Massa in the Sauber...


Depends if the sauber is as good as this seasons.