Mercedes interested in appointing reserve driver
Norberg Haug denies contact has been made with Nico Hulkenberg © Sutton Images
Mercedes is looking to appoint a reserve driver for the forthcoming season, according to Autosport.
Despite the limit on testing during the season, Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug feels it is important to have a reserve driver should anything happen to either of the regular drivers, as well as to gain feedback other than through a simulator.
"You can do a lot of simulator and a lot of work in the simulator," said Haug after the launch of the Mercedes W02 in Valencia. "You can probably do a shakedown or whatever, but really testing on the circuit is absolutely limited to the minimum as you all know but you have to have - a better expression is a reserve driver.
"So should you be in a position to score good points when one of your drivers is not capable of driving the car, you should have somebody who can jump into the car and do a decent job. We are working on it and I think we will have a reserve driver."
Nick Heidfeld was the team's previous reserve driver until he left to join Pirelli then Sauber and speculation has arisen that Nico Hulkenberg is a contender for the role. Haug, however, denies that any discussions have taken place.
"We are in contact and have ideas for a third driver but currently there is no contact to Nico Hulkenberg in that respect. But I am sure that he improved last year, and if you win GP2 and if you put a car on pole you have the right ingredients but we are not negotiating with him.
"He is contracted to Force India to my knowledge. He is a guy who did a good job who was improving last year but we have no contacts these days."
Credit: ESPN F1 (espn.com)
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