Nico Hulkenberg is in the running not only at Lotus for 2014, but also McLaren.<\/p>\n
That is the claim of the German magazine Sport Bild, who said even a return to Force India for the German has not been ruled out.<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg, 26, admitted in Singapore last weekend that moving from Force India to Sauber last winter might have been a mistake.<\/p>\n
“Well, regret is a big word,” he told the British broadcaster Sky, “but if you move teams you want to progress, you want to move forward.”<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg came close to a deal with Ferrari for 2014, until the Italian team secured Kimi Raikkonen’s high-profile return.<\/p>\n
Sport Bild said Lotus is now the strongest option for Hulkenberg, amid rumours a looming sponsor deal between Arab investors and the Enstone based team ruled Felipe Massa out of the equation.<\/p>\n
The report said while Hulkenberg is on the cusp of becoming Raikkonen’s successor, the door at McLaren might be slightly ajar.<\/p>\n
Sport Bild said there are rumours Sergio Perez’s Mexican backer Telmex is behind in its payments to the Woking based team.<\/p>\n
The fact Hulkenberg is waiting for McLaren before signing a Lotus contract would tie in with the very latest rumours — that Lotus is now considering the sponsor millions that Brazilian GP2 driver Felipe Nasr could bring.<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg’s manager Werner Heinz said: “Nothing is signed, but we are in a good position.”<\/p>\n
Separately, it is believed Raikkonen’s switch to Ferrari sealed Lotus’ intention to keep Romain Grosjean on board for another season.<\/p>\n
The team’s trackside boss Alan Permane thinks the Frenchman is ready to step into a leading role.<\/p>\n
“Obviously it depends who he has as his teammate, a strong character or who it is,” he said.\u00a0 “But I don’t see why not.<\/p>\n
“Now’s his chance — and he looks to be taking it, which is really good to see.”<\/p>\n
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