Anyone who knows Formula One will say that German driver Nico Hulkenberg deserves to be driving for a top team.
However, year after year he continues to be traded around the mid-field teams.
For 2014 it was announced that the 26-year-old will return to Force India, the team he was a test driver at in 2011 and then a race driver in 2012.
During the 2012 season, he scored a total of 63 points and almost won his first grand prix in Brazil before colliding into Lewis Hamilton.
There’s no denying that Hulkenberg is one of the most talented operators out there, he took his maiden pole position under changing conditions in Brazil for Williams in 2010.
He achieved his career best finish of fourth in 2012 at Spa, just missing out on a podium.
And in 2013 he matched that result in Korea by holding off the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Hulkenberg made his move to Sauber in 2013 in pursuit of podiums.
Of course we remember the Swiss team in 2012 scored four podiums, three of which went to Sergio Perez and the other to Kamui Kobayashi.
The Sauber C32 of 2013 did not match the results of the predecessor, so in essence Hulkenberg went backwards from 2012. But it was not like Force India was super competitive either this year.
Some may say that going back to the Silverstone team next year will be a step backward in his career, but the honest answer to that is it is an unknown how the mid-field teams will fare next year.
We could have a situation in 2014 where Lotus could be behind Force India.
Hulkenberg also seems to be optimistic about the Mercedes-Benz V6 powertrain for next year also. After his signing he mentioned that he’s “heard a lot of positive things about the Mercedes engine as well.” Which if true then that could potentially be an advantage to him.
He will still know all the engineers and mechanics from 2012, so it is not an unfamiliar environment he is returning to.
Why don’t Ferrari take him?
It just appears that Ferrari in particular are not comfortable in taking a chance with hiring Hulkenberg just yet. For four years in a row now they have been beaten by Red Bull and psychologically it does hurt.
The red team sniffs an opportunity with the regulation change in 2014 to dethrone the Bull and they want to take it with both hands.
They see having two seasoned drivers in Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen being the best way to capitalise on points for the constructor’s championship, as well as having two drivers battle in dethroning Sebastian Vettel.
I guess you can’t blame a team with as much pride as Ferrari in wanting no compromise next year, but in the end have they made the right decision? We won’t know until next year.
As for Hulkenberg in 2014, going back to Force India shouldn’t really be seen as a backwards step. As long as the team move forward next year, then we won’t be so critical on him not being put in a Lotus or even Ferrari.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
As long as they have a healthy income, the Enstone team have a bright future in the sport. Their young drivers waiting in the wings are potential stars for future. Its a shame that we couldn't see Davide Valsecchi get his turn in the Lotus in place of Kimi, but he along with Nicolas Prost could end up driving in the main game one day.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
I don't think McLaren are on their way down like Williams, first of all they are one of the richest teams in the sport and they have many avenues in which they can sustain that level of income. Next year will be an awkward year for McLaren, its their final year with Mercedes and it'll be their first with the new title sponsor. 2014 maybe a sort of transitional year for team before 2015 and Honda.
Simoc
Guest
Alonso will never return to McLaren. The McLaren brand is in full reverse and working their way down the grid to race with Williams. Hulkenburg is apparently bigger than the other drivers which creates an engineering problem but he has good pace and was near unbeatable in single seater category racing prior to entering F1.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Caterham would probably wind up as the only backmarker, unless they too merge - I think Lotus was mentioned if they become unsustainable - that's unlikely however with Maldonado's PDVSA money and potentially Quantum backing. But if that did happen, how ironic it would be, considering the naming wrangle which went on a couple of years ago!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Yeah exactly, the financial issues at Lotus will threaten their position amongst the top teams. They may in essence end up in the mid field next year. On a separate topic, if the Sauber/Marussia merger were to go ahead, what would that do to Caterham? They might be left alone at the back of the grid.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
I think the Incredible Hulk might be pleasantly surprised by the VJM 07, I expect to see him on the podium at some point and if the Merc V6 is as good as many believe it to be, he could be fighting for victories. He knows the crew as you say from his two seasons there, so he'll be able to hit the ground running when testing commences. In many respects, I'm glad he didn't end up at Lotus with the financial issues going on, and Sauber aren't looking great either, the talks of merging with Marussia don't fill me with confidence... Should he do well or again exceed the potential of the car, then I expect the bigger outfits will come knocking in twelve months' time - I have him pencilled in at Ferrari should Alonso throw in the towel and return to McLaren.