Nico Hulkenberg Unveils Bad News for F1 2020: ‘They Need Someone Else’

German driver Nico Hulkenberg is currently seat-hunting in Formula 1 for the 2020 season. The 32-year old’s vacant Renault seat will be taken by Mercedes reserve driver Esteban Ocon. Sadly for Nico Hulkenberg, every door is quickly slamming shut, with a number of prime seats taken.

Initially, he was linked to a seat at Haas, alongside Kevin Magnussen, but that was snuffed out when they re-signed Romain Grosjean. Now, only two options remain, namely Alfa Romeo and Williams F1. for Hulkenberg to go to Williams but he doesn’t think that is the right choice.

“I think they need somebody else,” Hulkenberg told Motorsportweek when asked about a potential return to Williams, who gave him his F1 debut.

“I think I’m not the right person, the right driver for them. Not that at all, it’s just where I am in my career, where they are, and the timings, I just don’t think it’s the right timing for us.

“With all due respect to the team, and obviously I’ve raced for them and everything, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Hulkenberg is regarded as one of the fastest drivers not in a top team and is unlucky not to have been given a chance to prove himself.

“I’ve performed well over the years, very consistently, many times when it was on the verge or other people didn’t get hired or get a job, I still was wanted and hired and paid to drive,” he said.

“That also speaks for some quality. Of course, I would like to have a different kind of record, more points and podiums and victories, but yeah, I know the reasons why, and why maybe things didn’t go that way.

“I’m at peace with myself there. I sleep well at night with my eyes closed. I’d love to continue racing, but if not, then life goes on.”

Hulkenberg will assess his options at the end of the season and unfortunately for him he may be forced to hang up his Formula 1 hopes.