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“The German will team up with (Romain) Grosjean,” announced Italy’s authoritative La Gazzetta dello Sport, hinting at Lotus’ 2014 lineup.<\/p>\nThe hot rumour at Suzuka after Sunday’s Japanese grand prix is that Nico Hulkenberg’s future is now secure.<\/p>\n
“The German will team up with (Romain) Grosjean,” announced Italy’s authoritative La Gazzetta dello Sport, hinting at Lotus’ 2014 lineup.<\/p>\n
Some well-connected paddock figures, however, think a return to Force India will be Hulkenberg’s next move, while others say remaining at Sauber also has not been ruled out.<\/p>\n
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, now a full-time pundit for British television BBC, said on Sunday he is “certain” Hulkenberg has signed for Force India.<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg gave nothing away.<\/p>\n
“My future will sort itself in a couple of weeks,” he said, denying he has “signed anything” for 2014.<\/p>\n
But another British pundit, the former F1 driver Martin Brundle, said on Sunday he has heard that Hulkenberg has definitely signed a deal for 2014.<\/p>\n
Brundle however refused to say for what team, explaining that the reason people confide in him is that they know he will not breach that confidence.<\/p>\n
Brundle made the comments in the presence of Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn, who insists Hulkenberg remains an “option” for the Hinwil based team in 2014.<\/p>\n
A report by the German-language Spiegel said a move to Lotus is on the cards for Hulkenberg, but the 26-year-old is “waiting until after the talks with Sauber before making a decision”.<\/p>\n
Much more certain is that Romain Grosjean is staying at Lotus next year, particularly after yet another strong drive to the podium at Suzuka on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Exactly a year ago, Mark Webber wrote off the Frenchman as F1’s ‘first lap nutcase’, but on Sunday he was much more complimentary.<\/p>\n
“We’re not here to blow smoke up his arse,” said the always-blunt Australian, “but in the end he’s doing a very good job this year.”<\/p>\n
Lotus boss Eric Boullier said re-signing Grosjean is now just a formality.<\/p>\n
“I need to get the written permission of my board but then we’ll see,” he said.<\/p>\n
Indeed, Grosjean’s form might be giving Ferrari food for thought, as the Frenchman seems to be consistently outperforming its 2014 signing, Kimi Raikkonen.<\/p>\n
Former F1 driver turned French pundit Patrick Tambay said Grosjean is riding a wave of new confidence.<\/p>\n
“Everything started for him since the announcement of Raikkonen’s departure next season,” he told RMC Sport.<\/p>\n
“There was also transfer of psychological and technical support, and (Grosjean) has reached a new level,” added Tambay.<\/p>\n
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