F1: Sutil Rules Out Replacing Schumacher At Mercedes, Williams Hopes To Keep Hulkenberg

Adrian Sutil has denied rumours he could be set to replace Michael Schumacher at Mercedes next year.

It has been suggested the 27-year-old German, who is currently contemplating his future at Force India, is first in line for the Mercedes race seat should Schumacher decide over the winter break to return to retirement.

"No, there is no truth in that," he told the Daily Mail in an interview.

"Michael is going to stay there for another year at least, and I think he has a three year contract, so that is how it is.

"Of course it would be great to drive for Mercedes in the future, but I think now is just too early, and they are just rumours," added Sutil.

He said he is expecting his own decision about the 2011 season to be made soon.

"I'm not sure at the moment, but it should happen pretty soon," said Sutil, who has also been linked with moves to Renault and Williams.

"I just want to make sure to do the right thing, but I can't say where I am going to be. It is too early for that.

"I was planning to make a decision four weeks ago, but it is difficult. Everyone is waiting, so I will try to make it as quick as possible."

(GMM)

Williams Hopes To Keep Hulkenberg For 2011

Sir Frank Williams sounds unlikely to oust German rookie Nico Hulkenberg for the 2011 season.

It has been suggested the 23-year-old could make way for Venezuelan pay-driver Pastor Maldonado.

But in an interview with the BBC, the Oxfordshire based team's founder, boss and biggest shareholder Williams heaped praise on Hulkenberg.

"It was a little disappointing, maybe, in the first few races, perhaps because he was being over-cautious," he said.

"But lately he has become very competitive and we have just seen the beginning of something exceptional."

And when asked if F1 spectators will be seeing more of Hulkenberg, Williams added: "Absolutely. We do hope so yes.

"He won all the way up to Formula 3 and GP2, he has won every single championship and in the right team, hopefully us one day, he will win the world championship as well in formula one."

The latest rumour is that it might instead be Rubens Barrichello moving aside for Maldonado, but Williams also had praise for the veteran Brazilian.

"He has enormous experience. He is now, without doubt, the most experienced driver in the pitlane and he does demonstrate that very frequently," said Williams.

"His technique is very understated, he's a very smooth driver. He likes to be mollycoddled emotionally a little bit, and he likes being told how good he is, but we don't have any problem in telling him, we believe strongly in him.

"He's good fun and very experienced and that is a great value to any team," he added.

(GMM)