From GMM
Nico Hulkenberg's manager, Willi Weber has played down suggestions the young German will definitely lose his race seat at Williams at the end of the season.
The British team on Monday seemed to confirm speculation it is considering replacing the 2009 GP2 champion with the feeder series' new champion, Pastor Maldonado.
Venezuelan Maldonado, 25, is heavily backed by the state owned petroleum company PDVSA, and Williams co-owner Patrick Head in Korea admitted that economic factors would influence the board's driver decision for 2011.
In a media statement issued Monday, Williams announced that the team will run Maldonado and Dean Stoneman during the young driver test days in Abu Dhabi on November 16 and 17, 2010.
And "Hulk" is not in contention for merely the team's 2011 test seat, because Finn Valtteri Bottas "will remain" in that position next year, Williams said.
"Nico is not 'out' already, as has been speculated," he told the German news agency DPA.
"The talks with Williams are continuing, but there are obviously alternatives," added Weber.
"Williams is the first choice and we would love to stay, but it is extremely important that Nico has a race cockpit in formula one for 2011," he said.
Interestingly, Weber seemed to acknowledge the legitimacy of Williams' apparent reconsideration of Hulkenberg's place at the team.
"(Chairman) Adam Parr has a great responsibility to hundreds of employees and as the highest priority he must consider the welfare of the team," he said.
Nico Hulkenberg's manager, Willi Weber has played down suggestions the young German will definitely lose his race seat at Williams at the end of the season.
The British team on Monday seemed to confirm speculation it is considering replacing the 2009 GP2 champion with the feeder series' new champion, Pastor Maldonado.
Venezuelan Maldonado, 25, is heavily backed by the state owned petroleum company PDVSA, and Williams co-owner Patrick Head in Korea admitted that economic factors would influence the board's driver decision for 2011.
In a media statement issued Monday, Williams announced that the team will run Maldonado and Dean Stoneman during the young driver test days in Abu Dhabi on November 16 and 17, 2010.
And "Hulk" is not in contention for merely the team's 2011 test seat, because Finn Valtteri Bottas "will remain" in that position next year, Williams said.
"Nico is not 'out' already, as has been speculated," he told the German news agency DPA.
"The talks with Williams are continuing, but there are obviously alternatives," added Weber.
"Williams is the first choice and we would love to stay, but it is extremely important that Nico has a race cockpit in formula one for 2011," he said.
Interestingly, Weber seemed to acknowledge the legitimacy of Williams' apparent reconsideration of Hulkenberg's place at the team.
"(Chairman) Adam Parr has a great responsibility to hundreds of employees and as the highest priority he must consider the welfare of the team," he said.