Nico Hulkenberg will continue to race with Force India in 2015. The 27-year-old German returned to the team in 2014 after a stopover with Sauber and has enjoyed a very good season. However, it is clear that his signing shows that he has no better options elsewhere for next year.
“It’s good to confirm my plans for next season,” he said. “This is a team I know extremely well and we’ve enjoyed a great year together with some special results. The team has big ambitions and I believe we can have a competitive package once again next year. We have a strong partner in Mercedes and everyone in the team is motivated and hungry for more success. I have a good feeling for 2015 and there is a lot to be excited about as we try to build on the results we have achieved this year.”
joeblogsf1 
They couldn’t afford Alonso then? 😉
Maybe Alonso didn’t think he was good enough to snag a SFI drive 😉
Button to Force India replacing Perez?
Doubt it. Would have thought that if Mclaren don’t want him, he’ll slope off to sports cars. He’s had a good innings, won a world title, it’s more than most ever manage. Can’t see why he’d want to tool about in a Force India which – even if they have a good year – is unlikely to win races.
Its a shame that driver such as Hulkenberg who has consistently performed better than the car was expected to do ,cannot find a top drive. Is it his reported height/ weight disadvantage or just bad luck.
Hulkenberg could have done a lot worse than Force India, though. Over the last two years or so, it’s only been Red Bull and Mercedes who have been consistently outperforming them at every single race.
Williams have only managed to get ahead of them this season. Lotus have dropped way down the pecking order. McLaren have been struggling to beat them both this season and last, and have only really managed to pull away at Sazuka and Sochi. Even Ferrari have been found to have inferior pace in some races compared to the VJM07.
That leaves Sauber, Caterham and Marussia, all of which are far behind in the constructors’ standings; ditto Lotus.
In the case of some of these teams, particularly McLaren and Ferrari, I consider this pretty damning considering the fact that Force India are operating on a lower budget and fewer resources.
He could have gotten that Lotus drive…maybe it’s not all bad luck
Interesting . . . both Hulk and Perez were announced on “multi-year deals” at the start of the season.
So, what (if anything) are we to read into the fact that FI have chosen to confirm Hulk for 2015, but not Perez (yet)?
No idea
There is a rumor floating around that Lotus has given Perez an offer. Which, if it exists, I am sure will not be accepted.
I think it’s just a matter of time before Perez is confirmed for next year. Just as it is only a matter of time before Vettel is confirmed at Ferrari and Alonso is confirmed at McLaren.
FI fell back due to the CFD not being fully populated. This was rectified a couple of months ago sadly too late for this years car but in time for next year. Interesting that whilst other team managers come and go on their own ‘breathe of fresh air’ VJ pretty much single-handedly kept the show on the road and planning for next year .
As for SP my understanding is whilst there is a possibility of further outside investment (Slim chance maybe?) he will be there next year.
I may be imagining it, but it seems to me Hulkenberg has gone off the boil during the latter part of this season. After performing some quite miraculous feats for Sauber last season and starting off well with Force India, he seemed to be confirming his ‘star of the future’ status, but for whatever reason he seems to have lost that. Perhaps it’s the fact that Perez, although scoring quite a few fewer points, has had the stand out results and headlines. Perhaps its the fact of opportunities at bigger teams just chipping away at his confidence. Either way, I fear that that’s it for him now, he’ll be a solid midfield performer who we’ll regard as ‘could a been a contenda’. There are only so many seasons in moderately competitive cars even the best drivers can withstand before it saps the last % of their ability.
Think you are right forzaminardi, and it’s a shame as The Hulk looked like a good guy for a top team, but there aren’t the chances there used to be in the past. There are only 2 teams that can win at present, and 1 of those can only win when the other screws up….likely to be the same next year too.
It does look bleak for Hulkenberg to get into a top team for the forseeable future. Mercedes looks closed to him, and Bottas is the guy to put money on for that drive if one of the current two leaves. I doubt Ferrari would pair Vettel with another younger driver who could beat him, and in fact I would put money on them taking Perez instead after Raikkonen retires, as he seems to really fit the mold of a #2 and has a history with the team already.
I would, however, keep an eye on Massa’s seat after next year. I would not at all call it safe, and while he has had some bright moments, he has also looked like his typical ragged self. Frank and Claire will not hesitate to put another younger, faster driver in the car if they feel it will take the team to the next level. There is some bad history between the two sides, but I think Hulk would put that behind him if he could get into a car that looks like it may not be that far from winning relative to the rest of the field sans Mercedes. And I am sure that Mercedes would not mind having a German driver in what has effectively become its B Team.
So there’s my call for 2016. Perez to Ferrari, Hulkenberg to Williams. I will probably eat those words.
Perez has had his chance in a big team and he did not make it stick. His chances of getting a second chance are reduced.