Nico Hulkenberg believes he has no chance of returning to Formula One in 2022 after confirming that he is not in talks with Alfa Romeo about a drive.
Hulkenberg last raced in F1 full-time in 2019, but he made three appearances for Racing Point last season, filling in for Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll after they were ruled out by COVID-19.
The German driver was unable to secure a drive for this season, but has joined Aston Martin as an official reserve for 2021, assisting Stroll and Sebastian Vettel.
After previously telling Bild am Sonntag that “If it doesn’t work out now, then the chapter of Formula 1 is closed for me”, Hulkenberg has now admitted that his chances of returning to the grid next year are over, effectively ending his F1 career.
Hulkenberg’s name has been linked to drives for the 2022 season at both Williams and Alfa Romeo, with both teams holding two open seats a few weeks ago.
However, Williams revealed earlier this week that Alexander Albon would be joining Nicholas Latifi for next year, therefore ruling out any possibility of Hulkenberg returning to the team for which he made his F1 debut in 2010.
Alfa Romeo is considering a number of drivers, including F2 driver Guanyu Zhou and incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi, as a teammate for Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas.
In an interview with Bild, Hulkenberg confirmed that he was not in talks with Alfa Romeo for next year, therefore putting an end to his prospects of returning to Formula One.
“There are no talks with Alfa Romeo,” Hulkenberg said.
“After all, that would have been the last option for a permanent seat in 2022, after all the other cockpits have been allocated.”
Hulkenberg, on the other hand, said he was taking the situation in stride and that “life goes on.” He also stated that he has got “exciting enquiries from other series” about a possible future drive.
“I’m in no hurry to make a decision,” Hulkenberg said, adding that he wants to “sort everything out” and “see how things progress”.
In July, IndyCar team owner Ed Carpenter revealed that Hulkenberg had expressed interest in a possible test, but he “wouldn’t put a whole lot of substance to it” in regards of a full-time drive.
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