Formula One news

Haug: "Senna needed route to F1"

Mercedes-Benz was unable to guarantee Bruno Senna a Formula One drive, which is why he elected not to drive for the marquee in touring car racing, according to Norbert Haug. The Brazilian had been linked with a drive in the German DTM series, but handed back the offer after being informed that Formula 1 would not be a certainty.

Mercedes Motorsport's Norbert Haug

"We discussed it, and he wanted to have a firm commitment to get into F1," Haug, Mercedes Motorsport's vice president, told Autosport. "I spoke to Ross and Martin and we said 'yes, we can develop options', but we cannot guarantee it 100 per cent." Haug refers to Ross Brawn and Martin Whitmarsh, respective team principals of Brawn GP and McLaren, both of which use Mercedes engines as well as with Force India.

"I fully respect Bruno's position but I do hope that, in half a year's time, he doesn't wish he would have done it," Haug continued. "If, after first practice in Hockenheim an F1 boss would have phoned to say 'you can drive my car', he would have been free to step out. But I don't want to argue. Bruno is a good guy, a very flamboyant and good guy - he just chose a different path.

Haug, despite not writing up a contract with Senna, defended the matter that that all young racing drivers should aspire to reach Formula One. Bruno, since missing out on a Brawn GP seat for this season, also tested for the Oreca Le Mans Series team for which he has since signed a deal for 2009, and went on to claim pole position and second place in the race at the first meeting of the season in Barcelona.

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