Nico Hulkenberg could become Mercedes’ third and reserve driver in 2011.<\/p>\n
Following a shining formative career with titles in A1, European F3 and the F1 feeder series GP2, the 23-year-old rookie has stumbled at the first hurdle in formula one by losing his Williams race seat for 2011.<\/p>\n
Efforts to secure potential comparative seats with Renault and Force India look set to founder, leaving manager Willi Weber reportedly believing a top test cockpit is the best remaining alternative.<\/p>\n
Weber told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that it is a more attractive option to be “the third man in a top team than the first man with a backmarker”.<\/p>\n
And during a season with a straggler, “you learn nothing and your career is going backwards”, according to Weber.<\/p>\n
But Mercedes chief Norbert Haug played down the Hulkenberg rumours.<\/p>\n
“There is currently no contact,” he said, whilst praising the young German’s potential.<\/p>\n
“His car didn’t drive itself to pole position in Brazil.\u00a0 A GP2 champion and someone on pole in formula one must of course be very capable,” said Haug.<\/p>\n
And he disagrees with Weber that a top test role is better than a race seat with a smaller team.<\/p>\n
“If he wants to keep his career going in a straight line, he would be better off racing with a second or even third-rate team,” advised Haug.<\/p>\n
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