Hulkenberg downplays Force India link

Nico Hulkenberg has downplayed rumours that he’s returning to Force India next season after being spotted with Otmar Szafnauer…

Nico Hulkenberg has downplayed rumours that he’s returning to Force India next season after being spotted with Otmar Szafnauer.

Taking the role of Force India’s test driver in 2011, Hulkenberg was promoted to race driver the following season where he scored 63 points.

However, after just one year he opted to leave Force India to Sauber, which many believes was done to align himself to Ferrari.

But with the Scuderia opting to take on Kimi Raikkonen instead for 2014, Hulkenberg is once again in search of a new team.

With reports suggesting he has now lost the Lotus driver to Pastor Maldonado and his PDSVA millions, Hulkenberg is thought to be heading back to Force India.

The German was seen talking with his manager and sporting director Szafnauer on Saturday evening in Abu Dhabi.

The 26-year-old, though, downplayed the meeting but did concede to Auto Moto und Sport that topic had come up.

“We’ve known each other for a long time so things come up when you are face to face,” he said.