Hulkenberg confirms interest from other teams

Nico Hulkenberg remains confident of racing in Formula 1 in 2020, despite losing his Renault seat to Esteban Ocon.

Hulkenberg and Ocon might have been team-mates this year had the chance to sign Daniel Ricciardo not presented itself to Renault, with the Frenchman subsequently blocked and forced to spend this season on the sidelines.

However, Ocon will join his native constructor next year, at Hulkenberg's expense after three years with the Enstone outfit.

Haas are expected to be interested in Hulkenberg if they decide to move on from Romain Grosjean, while a seat could even be available at Red Bull, should they look outside their development program, having demoted Pierre Gasly over the summer break.

"There is time, it's not too late or anything," Hulkenberg said.

"There are still seats and options out there, it's just also a matter of what I want and getting a good option and working that out.

It is well known that the choice of drivers is not only about performance, it is a whole bundle of factors. But that's the way it is. Surely we would all have liked to see it differently..

— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) August 29, 2019

"It's not done, it's up in the air. There is discussions but it will still take a bit. I can understand the situation and it's not too hard to deal with for me.

"I feel comfortable in my skin. I know there is appetite from other teams, so I feel OK."

Asked if Renault's decision came as a shock, Hulkenberg said: "No, I had hints, a couple of weeks already through the summer break.

"It was a bit different, there was a change of dynamic in the week after Hungary. I could tell there was something going on, that there might be a change ahead."