Nico Hulkenberg has admitted he was worried another financially-backed driver would once again halt his formula one race career.<\/p>\n
The German told Sport1 that, a year ago, Williams ousted him “for a reason nothing to do with the sporting side”.<\/p>\n
He is referring to the famous British team’s decision to sign Pastor Maldonado, the 2010 GP2 champion who is backed significantly by his native Venezuela.<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg, 24, took a backwards step to Force India, where it is believed the contract he signed stipulated a season as reserve driver before a guaranteed move for 2012 into the race seat.<\/p>\n
It has gone exactly to plan, but Hulkenberg admits it was at times a nervous wait.<\/p>\n
Asked if he was worried a pay-driver might foil his plan yet again, he admitted: “Yes, the concern was there.<\/p>\n
“But I had spoken throughout the year with the team and knew what their plans were and how they wanted to develop.”<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg answered “no” and “no” as to whether he has had to pay for the seat, and if he comes with any significant sponsorship.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Force India’s decision is in some ways slightly surprising, given Adrian Sutil’s strong end to the 2011 season and his solid backing by the Medion computer company.<\/p>\n
Asked how his relationship is with his older countryman now that he has ousted him, Hulkenberg insisted: “Very good.<\/p>\n
“I have known Adrian for a long time but we didn’t talk about the situation.\u00a0 He has been fully focused on his own side, which I thought was very professional.<\/p>\n
“It’s not as though he is angry with me.”<\/p>\n
Sutil, after all, can hardly be angry, given that F1’s cruel fate dealt Hulkenberg a similar blow last year.<\/p>\n
“Naturally it (F1) is very brutal,” he conceded, “but I don’t feel sorry for him as I’m assuming that he will get a cockpit.”<\/p>\n
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