Nico Hulkenberg: It wasn’t an easy decision

Nico Hulkenberg has explained that his switch to Sauber for next season was not an easy decision, and that discussions were held with Ferrari confirming allegations that the Scuderia were considering the German as a potential replacement for Felipe Massa. However, Paul di Resta believes Hulkenberg is wrong to have left Force India.

As the Formula 1 paddock gears up for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Nico
Hulkenberg has explained to reporters that his decision was not an easy one. With Sauber greatly out-scoring Force India over the due course of the season, regularly finishing on the podium, Hulkenberg believes his switch to Sauber is the right one to make. However, the former GP2 Champion was strongly linked with Ferrari earlier in the season, before rumors linking him to Sauber emerged.

"It wasn’t an easy decision, first of all," explained Nico Hulkenberg. "I think Sauber made a good development the last couple of years, especially this year. They have been very strong this year for podiums, missed the win by a very narrow margin only, so that is why. Otherwise I would not have made the decision if I thought it wasn’t the right one. Obviously Sauber has a good car this year and hopefully it has a good car next year where we can fight for good positions."

Nico Hulkenberg has also confirmed that discussions between himself and Ferrari were held earlier in the year, during a period when the Scuderia were greatly weighing up their opportunities with Felipe Massa. However, once the Brazilian driver was confirmed alongside Alonso, speculation linking Hulkenberg to Sauber began to gather extreme momentum.

Despite Nico Hulkenberg’s obvious satisfaction at landing a drive with the Swiss outfit for 2013, current team-mate Paul di Resta strongly believes the German was wrong to leave Force India. Like many within the F1 paddock, the Scot is of the opinion that Hulkenberg has made a sideways step to Sauber.

"I was surprised that Nico left this team, to be fair, for an immediate competitor," said Paul di Resta. “I don’t see it as being a step up, to be perfectly honest. I see it as an equal kind of status. Long term where you see this team is going, I think it is probably better [at Force India]. They [Sauber] have had a couple of remarkable results, and I am not going to deny that. But in terms of consistency, we have got a lot. It may be different. Next year may be different, and I don’t know the full reasons why Nico has gone there."

Whether or not Nico Hulkenberg’s move to Sauber can be viewed as a step forward, or sideways, this decision by the German driver now opens up a vacancy at Force India. Many drivers have been linked to the team for next season, including F1 returnees Adrian Sutil and Jaime Alguersuari.

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