Lack of sponsorship hurting drivers’ 2011 chances

Two German drivers on Thursday rued a lack of sponsorship that is hurting their chances of being on the formula one grid in 2011.

Although both highly regarded, Nick Heidfeld and Nico Hulkenberg are both struggling to stay as race drivers for next season.

At Sauber, Heidfeld’s seat for 2011 has already been taken for 2011 by the Telmex-backed rookie Sergio Perez, while it is believed Williams is close to securing the Venezuelan dollars brought by new GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado.

The latter transaction would see Hulkenberg looking for a job.

“For me what counts is talent, I hope it’s (that way) for the team too,” he said in Korea.

“If it really is going to end, that would be very disappointing,” Hulkenberg is quoted by the SID news agency.

Heidfeld’s predecessor at Sauber, Pedro de la Rosa, said this week that he “absolutely” would still be in the C29 if he was heavily backed.

“Unfortunately at the moment in F1,” Heidfeld said on Thursday, “it’s not solely about how you drive the car and what you can bring in terms of talent, speed and engineering skills.

“I don’t have backing like some others,” he lamented.

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