“He knows that he can drive something that’s just as rewarding and come and test himself in sports cars now, and he’s not the only one looking.”
Hulkenberg formed part of Porsche’s Le Mans-winning trio in June, RIGHT, and recently signed an extension to remain with the Force India team through 2017. The German will be 30 at the end of his new contract, and barring an offer from a championship contender, Webber thinks Hulkenberg could form part of growing exodus from F1 to the WEC’s coveted LMP1 category.
“There’s the Jenson Buttons, the Fernando Alonsos, there are guys later in their careers that will need to look at the next chapter and want to come here, and some of that middle-generation, the ones like Nico, who see a chance to win,” he said. “It’s the best, and for me, it’s only option after F1 when you want to have something that is so stimulating and rewarding to take you through whatever part of your 30s to mid-40s.”
With the FIA WEC in Texas this weekend for the Lone Star Le Mans event at Circuit of The Americas, the 2015 championship is accelerating towards its conclusion in November. Scanning the options available in LMP1, Webber thinks the F1-to-P1 transition could be limited for next season, but expects 2017 to present more vacancies for F1 drivers to fill.
“The problem is now it’s not that easy for [F1 drivers] to get in; the teams are already set for next year,” Webber said. “Porsche is extremely loyal, as are Audi and Toyota. These guys have to put the hand up now and say, yeah, there’s not much room at the moment, but I want to talk about something a year from now.
“I know that for a fact that certain guys – very, very, very good F1 drivers – are a bit frustrated that they can’t just obviously turn up and roll into some of those [competitive F1] seats, and they’ve opened conversations about their futures with teams here.”
Webber also predicts more P1 teams will seek F1-caliber talent as speeds and technology continue to increase.
“That’s a great thing for our championship and sports cars at the moment,” he said. “There will be doors eventually opening, but the sports guys, they don’t want money; they want guys that have the talent and the speed. The P1 driver market might move a bit at the end of 2016, and that’s where things could get interesting.
“We’re playing with north of 1000bhp now and the cars are pretty incredible. The only difference from F1 is you’ve got a roof over your head, and the rest is very similar. Some serious F1 guys are looking over here, for sure.”