With Alex Albon failing to impress, he is running out of time to convince Red Bull that he can be Max Verstappen’s teammate for the next season. If Albon doesn’t get the seat, the two leading candidates to replace him are Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg.

Perez’s excellent outing in Turkey meant that his stocks have definitely risen up and it has perhaps cast Hulkenberg into the shadow a little. However, Hulkenberg did cause a few hearts to flutter on Servus TV when he was asked if he had signed any contract.

The German driver’s reply (translated by Google), “Yes, I do (did)!”, must’ve left viewers surprised, with a flood of emotions boiling over.

But Hulkenberg went on to clarify that he hadn’t signed any contract with Red Bull and was merely referencing a “New home loan and savings contract.”

He added, “Otherwise there is nothing to report. The reports have calmed down a bit and I think it’ll be a while before it is really clear.”

Red Bull have publicly thrown their support behind the incumbent Albon and are giving him every chance to claim the seat for himself. Therefore, they are in no rush to get Albon or any of his touted replacements to put pen to paper just yet. And Hulkenberg is content with waiting.

Nico Hulkenberg keeping himself ready but not pushing Red Bull to make a decision

After being without an F1 contract for a year, Nico doesn’t really have much to lose, unlike Perez, who seems to be at the peak of his powers.

As such, the ex-Renault driver doesn’t mind biding his time, waiting for an opportunity to arrive.

Trending

F1 Rumor: Adrian Newey to Join Ferrari, Leaving Red Bull Amid Christian Horner-Helmut Marko Fiasco

April 25, 2024 05:55 PM EDT

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

He said, “I’m pretty relaxed about that. It’s not in my hands. So, I just keep myself ready.  And of course I hope that there will be another comeback and a chance. Where I would of course be very motivated and hot.

“But we just need a little patience until it is then the final decision there. “

Red Bull are certainly keeping not only their drivers but also their fans waiting with bated breaths. By the end of the season, it’ll be interesting to see who is the candidate that the Milton Keynes-based outfit picks to partner Verstappen for 2021.