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IndyCar: Is there any truth to the Nico Hulkenberg rumors?

By Asher Fair

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 16: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Renault Sport F1 walks in the Paddock before final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 16, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 16: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Renault Sport F1 walks in the Paddock before final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 16, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) /
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Is there any truth to the rumor that Nico Hulkenberg will drive for Ed Carpenter Racing in the 2020 IndyCar season’s road and street course races?

A recent report by gplatestnews.nl stated that Rinus VeeKay would be named the replacement for Spencer Pigot behind the wheel of the #21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing and current but soon to be former Renault Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg would be the team’s road and street course driver behind the wheel of the #20 Chevrolet, which is driven in the oval races by team owner Ed Carpenter, in the 2020 IndyCar season.

The report stated that the team would confirm this news this week.

When Pigot announced his departure from the team and VeeKay was tipped as his replacement (now confirmed), the rumors that Hulkenberg would make the move from Formula 1 to IndyCar predictably heated up.

So is there any truth to this rumor?

In one word, no.

Carpenter has spoken, and he has confirmed that Hulkenberg will not be his counterpart behind the wheel of the #20 Chevrolet in the 12 road and street course races on the 17-race 2020 schedule.

Here is what the boss had to say about the matter, according to Motorsport.

"“Those rumors had gotten a little out of control, to be honest – even though neither of us said anything! To be honest, I did speak with Nico a couple of times, and I think he was intrigued by the prospect of coming to IndyCar, but I just don’t think the timing was right for him.“I don’t think he would come over if he was just filling time, waiting to maybe get back into Formula 1 in 2021. I think he would evaluate it more and decide whether he really wanted to make a change and then commit to IndyCar for longer. And I don’t think he’s there yet.”"

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Hulkenberg is currently in his ninth full season competing in Formula 1 and his third season driving for Renault, but Renault confirmed in late August that Esteban Ocon would be his replacement for the 2020 season.

There were rumors that the 32-year-old German would end up at Haas as the replacement for Romain Grosjean or at Alfa Romeo Racing as the replacement for Antonio Giovinazzi, but both of those teams have now confirmed their respective drivers for next year.

The only remaining opening seat in the 2020 driver lineup is the seat currently occupied by Robert Kubica. He has confirmed that he will not return to the team next year, and Nicholas Latifi has been tipped to replace him.

But even before it became clear that Latifi would be paired with George Russell at the Grove-based team in 2020, Hulkenberg ruled out returning to the team for which he drove in his rookie season back in 2010.

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Who will drive the #20 Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing in the 12 road and street course races throughout the 2020 IndyCar season with Nico Hulkenberg having officially been ruled out of the picture?