Mercedes motorsport director Norbert Haug has denied rumours that Nico Hulkenberg could join the team in 2011 as a test and reserve driver, urging the German to avoid such a role.
The rumours surfaced after the Brazilian pole-sitter was ousted by the Williams team last week, in favour of Rubens Barrichello and a currently unknown driver, likely to be Pastor Maldonado.
“There is currently no contact [with Hulkenberg],” Haug urged whilst speaking to Auto Motor und Sport.
Despite that, Haug praised his skill after he secured pole in Brazil during his rookie F1 year.
“The pole position in Brazil wasn’t just the car. He’s a GP2 champion and someone on pole in Formula One must be a very abled driver.”
Meanwhile Hulkenberg’s manager, Willi Weber, suggested he’d rather see his driver in a test role at a top-tier team, instead of filling a race seat at a back-marker, something Haug disagrees with completely.
“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 the 57-year-old.
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