Hulk ‘quite relaxed’ as he awaits decision

Michelle Foster
Nico Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg says he is letting “it come” to him as his future is not in his hands as he awaits Red Bull’s driver decision.

Red Bull has yet to confirm its full line-up for next year’s championship with only Max Verstappen’s place set in stone.

While initially the team gave Alex Albon until the end of the Imola GP weekend to secure his place alongside the Dutchman, two disappointing races had the team extending the deadline until the final lap of the season.

That means Hulkenberg, linked to Albon’s race seat, has a few weeks to wait around to learn his fate.

The German feels he has done all he can in his two Racing Point outings to show what he brings to the table.

“The stones have already fallen for many teams,” he told Severus TV. “The cards are laid.

“I had my two [race] chances and used them as well as I could.

“I’m not actively involved now anyway, but of course I’m in contact with the people that matter. But not every week now, not every day.”

However, when a decision will be made, Hulkenberg has no idea as it is not in his hands.

“I let it come to me,” he said. “I am quite relaxed. It’s not in my hands.

“That’s why I am on standby, so to speak.

“Of course I hope that there will be a comeback and a chance, which I would be very motivated and keen to do. But we just need a little patience until the final decision is made.”

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Despite filling in for Stroll at the Eifel Grand Prix, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed that there was a brief moment when Red Bull almost called up Hulkenberg.

With Albon initially recording an inconclusive test, Marko “was in contact” with Hulkenberg about driving the RB16 at the Nurburgring.

The German says he’s staying fit in the hope that he may get yet another call-up before this season is over.

“If it does open, it’s completely unpredictable anyway,” he said.

“The last two times this happened, it was super-spontaneous.

“Of course I can’t assume and don’t expect that something will happen every weekend. But of course it can happen.

“We know ourselves how unpredictable the situation is at the moment. That’s why I simply have to keep myself fit and ready. And I do that too.”

Hulkenberg scored 10 points in his two races, putting him P15 in the Drivers’ Championship ahead of the Alfa Romeo drivers, the Haas team-mates and the Williams pairing.

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Nico Hulkenberg Red Bull

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