Hulkenberg weight not an issue for Lotus

Nico Hulkenberg’s hopes of landing a Lotus drive has received a boost with the team insisting his weight will not play a major role in their decision…

Nico Hulkenberg’s hopes of landing a Lotus drive has received a boost with the team insisting talent rather than weight will play a major role in their decision.

Although the weight limit for drivers and cars have been increased by 50kg for the 2014 season, the switch to 1.6-litre turbos engines means the powertrains will be heavier and teams will rather opt for lighter drivers.

McLaren have already admitted “heavier drivers will be less attractive” and team principal Martin Whitmarsh has ruled out signing the German next year.

However, that won’t be an issue with Lotus, who are looking at the Hulkenberg as a replacement for the departing Kimi Raikkonen.

“We’re more interested in the talent and potential of a driver rather than the difference of a few kilos,” Lotus team principal Eric Boullier said.

“We have confidence in our development team to be able to produce a car for the 2014 regulations which should be competitive in the hands of any driver we consider for next year.”

Hulkenberg, who is coming off another impressive display in Korea where he finished fourth, is 184cm tall and weighs 78 kilos, but Boullier feels he is not overweight despite the new regulations.

“For me he is not overweight. He is at the limit, but not overweight.”