Head regrets Hulkenberg loss to pay driver

AT&T Williams director of engineering Patrick Head has expressed his regret that his team was unable to retain German driver Nico Hulkenberg who has been replaced by Venezuela’s Pastor Maldonado.

In an article penned for Motorsport magazine, Head wrote, “On the driver front we are very happy to be continuing with Rubens Barrichello, but unfortunately were not able to retain Nico Hulkenberg, who we think developed well over the year and deserves a seat on merit, his pole position in Brazil showing that he has good command of the car in slippery conditions. We hope to see him in a competing car in 2011."

Head added, “Alongside Rubens will be Pastor Maldonado who won the 2010 GP2 Championship with more victories than any previous champion. He comes with some financial support, but deserves his opportunity on merit."

This is in stark contradiction to recent declarations by Williams Chairman Adam Parr who said the description of Maldonado as a pay-driver is “repulsive and irrelevant".