Hulkenberg ready for shock F1 opportunities in 2020

Nico Hulkenberg says he will be ready and waiting for any last-gasp opportunities that crop up in Formula 1 in 2020.

Hulkenberg will be replaced by Esteban Ocon at Renault next year and saw talks with Haas and Alfa Romeo conclude with the teams retaining Romain Grosjean and Antonio Giovinazzi respectively for 2020.

Having ruled out the last remaining seat at Williams and the chances of taking a development role with any other F1 team, Hulkenberg will have to look elsewhere to satisfy the racing bug and has been linked with a drive in IndyCar.

However, the German is keen to keep his options open for as long as possible and hopes to benefit from any turmoil on the grid next season.

"I'm at peace with what I've achieved and I don't feel I'm retiring as a race driver," Hulkenberg said.

"I don't feel I am leaving F1, I might not be on the grid, but if there's an opportunity I'm going to be ready.

"I haven't signed anything, and I won't do for the foreseeable future.

"I received calls from different, let's say racing series, teams, but nothing is really happening at the moment. To be honest, my state of mind is quite relaxed.

"I will finish the season anyways and I want to be as successful as possible and then after that, I want to rewind a little, take a moment for myself or two or three, and see what I want to do, what seems of interest.

"I'm certainly not having the feeling that I want to rush into something, just to race, so I am pretty relaxed.

"I feel a decade of F1 is intense, living at that high-pace, so that's why I just need to see when the new year starts, how I feel and how things develop and evolve and in which direction."

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