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Hulkenberg Turned Down Ferrari Offer in 2009

German driver Nico Hulkenberg could have made his Formula One debut in a Ferrari F60, during the course of the 2009 season. According to his own statement, the 22-year old was on the drivers list put in place by Ferrari to replace injured Felipe Massa, following his accident in the qualifying session of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

After the event at the Hungaroring, Ferrari chose to hand the car to long-time test and reserve driver Luca Badoer. The Brazilian driver only lasted 2 races in the F60, as his poor performances in Ferrari's 2009 challenger attracted plenty of criticism from the media. The Scuderia therefore signed Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella until the end of the season.

However, talking to SID news agency, the German driver admitted that there were some contacts with the Ferrari officials but it was his own decision not to rush his F1 debut. At the time, he was already in talks with Williams F1 Team to secure a full-time seat in the 2010 championship, while also in contention for his first title in the GP2 Series.

On one hand I was very eager to do it, but on the other hand it would have been two half-stories: GP2 and Formula One. In the end I was able to focus on GP2 and win the title and now I enter F1 with the appropriate preparation. It's probably good that it did not work out,” said Hulkenberg, according to the aforementioned source.

Hulkenberg is scheduled to do some outings with the Williams FW31 this week, during the rookie test at Jerez, this being the first time he'll get to drive a 2009 machinery on a circuit. He is eligible to take part in the test, as he hasn't competed in at least 3 grands prix in the series so far.

The German will resume training for the 2010 season alongside new teammate Rubens Barrichello in January, a month that Williams will likely use to launch the FW32 for next season.
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