Formula 1's Nico Hulkenberg rules out Williams seat

Nico Hulkenberg

Hulkenberg rules out Williams seat

He is left with one option...

Martin Macdonald

Friday 1 November 2019 15:17

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Nico Hulkenberg has ruled himself out of contention for Williams’ second seat for the 2020 campaign, saying he “isn’t right” for the team at the moment.

Around the summer break, Renault announced that they would be replacing Hulkenberg with Mercedes junior driver Esteban Ocon, leaving the German to search for another team if he is to remain in Formula 1.

Williams and Alfa Romeo are the only two teams on the grid who have unconfirmed seats for next season, with Robert Kubica leaving the former and Antonio Giovinazzi yet to be announced for the latter.

Hulkenberg will not be returning to the team where he started in 2010, though.

"I think they need somebody else," the current Renault driver said ahead of the United States Grand Prix.

“I think I’m not the right person, the right driver for them.

"Where I am in my career, where they are, and the timings, I just don’t think it’s the right timing for us.

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"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."

He holds the unfortunate record of having started the most races without claiming a podium spot, and although he recognises this as a failing in his career, he remains content with how has performed in the sport over the past nine years.

“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 added.

"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."