Mercedes Admit Going for German Drivers in 2010

After weeks and weeks of media allegations regarding the 2010 drivers lineup of McLaren Mercedes – given that Heikki Kovalainen is in his last year of contract with the Woking based team – Mercedes motorsport director Norbert Haug finally admitted that the Stuttgart based marque is indeed looking for a German driver to partner Lewis Hamilton in the Formula One Championship.

When asked about Kova's future with the silver arrows, Haug avoided giving a clear answer, therefore blewing the whistle on himself when it comes to the Finn's extension. Such a move is unlikely to happen, especially since Haug admitted there are no more contractual hurdles to prevent the Woking based team to sign a fellow countryman.

Nico Rosberg and Adrian Sutil are currently in contract-ending seasons with their teams – Williams and Force India respectively – while Sebastian Vettel is still under contract with Red Bull Racing, and unlikely to be disposed of, we might add.

“We must set ourselves up to win races and championships, and if this can be done with a German driver, all the better. In the past ten years we tried with Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel,” said Haug in an interview with the SID news agency.

In conclusion, however, Haug made sure his declaration won't sound like an ultimatum to current driver Kovalainen, as he tried to suggest any outcome for the 2010 race seat negotiations is possible.

“Perhaps our drivers will remain the same, perhaps they will change. At the moment I don't think there is large time pressure. It can be decided in the next couple of months,” added Haug.