Formula 1: Nico Hulkenberg no longer certain about future; ‘Out of my hands’

After saying he had a ride for the 2020 Formula 1 season if he wanted it, Nico Hulkenberg is no longer certain about his future in the sport.

Nico Hulkenberg will not return to Renault for the 2020 Formula 1 season after it was confirmed that Esteban Ocon signed a two-year contract to become Daniel Ricciardo’s teammate at the French marque beginning next year.

Ocon’s contract was confirmed after Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport opted to re-sign Valtteri Bottas as the teammate to Lewis Hamilton, passing up on the option to promote Ocon, who currently serves as their reserve and test driver.

With Hulkenberg being out of a ride, he had been rumored to replace the struggling Romain Grosjean at Haas.

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While he did not confirm that he would be joining the sport’s lone American team next year, he stated that if he wants, he’ll “get another race seat”.

But with Haas having now confirmed that Grosjean is set to return to the team alongside Kevin Magnussen for the 2020 season, which is slated to be the fourth consecutive season featuring this pairing, the 32-year-old German is far less certain about his future.

There are still five seats open among four of the sport’s 10 teams next year, but Hulkenberg knows it may be difficult to land one of them, and he has conceded that doing so is now out of his control.

Here is what Hulkenberg had to say about the matter, according to Autosport.

"“I think you see and understand for yourself what’s available, which seats and which [are] not. I think that’s pretty obvious. Right now it’s to a big extent out of my control, out of my hands.”"

That said, he remains optimistic. He stated the following, according to Formula 1.

"“Yeah very much so, I believe. Nothing to announce, nothing is set in stone for now but I believe there is a very realistic chance. That’s a question that’s difficult to go into detail: it’s all confidential and sensitive stuff, as you imagine, but you can also see and imagine yourself what’s still out there. You can see for yourself. It’s going to need a bit more time until we know, and have clarity…It’s going to be an interesting next two weeks.”"

The five open seats remaining on the 2020 Formula 1 grid include two seats at Scuderia Toro Rosso and one seat at each of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Alfa Romeo Racing and ROKiT Williams Racing.

Will Nico Hulkenberg return to Formula 1 for what would be his 10th season in the sport next year? If so, will he drive for Toro Rosso, Red Bull Racing, Alfa Romeo Racing or Williams Racing? If not, will he end up competing in another racing series?