Force India would not prevent Nico Hulkenberg from leaving if a bigger team became interest in his services, according to deputy team principal Bob Fernley.
Despite a good reputation in Formula One Hulkenberg has failed to make the podium since his debut in 2010, though he did win last year's Le Mans 24 Hours at the first attempt with Porsche. That opportunity came because Force India allowed him to split two World Endurance Championship rounds with F1.
After speculation linking him to a Ferrari seat mid-way through the season Force India handed him a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the team until the end of 2017. Fernley thinks it was important for Force India to retain Hulkenberg alongside Sergio Perez but thinks the team would consider certain offers for the German's services.
"Nico signing for another two years was all about continuity from our side, to be able to keep a team together that is obviously now a successful partnership," Fernley told Autosport."That's where we want to stay with it, but does that mean if an offer came through from a championship-winning team it wouldn't be considered? I'm sure [owner] Vijay [Mallya] would use the same foresight and vision as he did for the Le Mans decision."
Fernley agrees with the opinion Hulkenberg has never been able to adequately showcase his talent in Formula One -- he's also driven for Williams and Sauber -- but thinks the sport can be about being in the right place at the right time.
"It would be nice for Nico to be able to progress to what I think his talent deserves and I think a lot of people in the paddock believe that, too. But as we know in Formula One the opportunities are very limited, so let's just hope one of those opportunities comes for him."