Hulkenberg: Red Bull F1 links have gone "very, very quiet"
Nico Hulkenberg says things have gone "very, very quiet" over his chances of earning a Formula 1 seat at Red Bull next year
The German is vying with Sergio Perez for a shot at Red Bull in 2021, if Alex Albon cannot do enough to keep hold of the drive.
During an appearance on Red Bull's Servus TV channel, Hulkenberg joked the only thing he had signed recently was a new mortgage contract, but says the F1 chatter has slowed down.
"Of course I hope for a good return in the future, but there is nothing else to report," he said.
"It is very, very quiet at the moment. The reports have calmed down a bit, and I think it will be a while before there is really any final clarity."
The German, who put himself in the frame for the Red Bull seat with outings for Racing Point this year, says he is still in contact with a lot of teams, but says things are not moving fast.
"The stones have already fallen for many teams," he explained.
"The cards are laid. I had my two [race] chances and used them as good 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."
Asked when he expected a decision to be made, Hulkenberg said: "I let it come to me. I am quite relaxed. It's not in my hands.
"That's why I am on standby, so to speak. And 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."
Red Bull has indicated that with all the F1 2021 seats now full, albeit Haas has yet to announce its line-up, it will wait until after the season to make a final decision on whether or not to stick with Albon.
Hulkenberg says his only option right now is to keep himself fit to ensure that if there are any last-minute calls up to race he is ready.
"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."
Seidl: Sainz showing why "Ferrari went after him" for 2021
Magnussen wanted to retire from Turkish GP due to visibility concerns
Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car
Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car Mercedes explains the six upgrades on its W14 F1 car
Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks
Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 contract "nearly there", no Ferrari talks
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Hulkenberg to start Azerbaijan GP from pitlane after set-up change
Hulkenberg to start Azerbaijan GP from pitlane after set-up change Hulkenberg to start Azerbaijan GP from pitlane after set-up change
Why Haas's faith in Hulkenberg has been vindicated
Why Haas's faith in Hulkenberg has been vindicated Why Haas's faith in Hulkenberg has been vindicated
Hulkenberg: “Good things happening” with Haas F1 team
Hulkenberg: “Good things happening” with Haas F1 team Hulkenberg: “Good things happening” with Haas F1 team
Video: Mighty Max's domination at the F1 Monaco GP
Video: Mighty Max's domination at the F1 Monaco GP Video: Mighty Max's domination at the F1 Monaco GP
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory
F1 Monaco GP: Verstappen survives late rain to defeat Alonso
F1 Monaco GP: Verstappen survives late rain to defeat Alonso F1 Monaco GP: Verstappen survives late rain to defeat Alonso
10 things we learned at the 2023 F1 Monaco Grand Prix
10 things we learned at the 2023 F1 Monaco Grand Prix 10 things we learned at the 2023 F1 Monaco Grand Prix
Engel blasts Rast after aggressive DTM Oschersleben clash
Engel blasts Rast after aggressive DTM Oschersleben clash Engel blasts Rast after aggressive DTM Oschersleben clash
Ferrari apologised to Leclerc for Monaco F1 qualifying miscommunication
Ferrari apologised to Leclerc for Monaco F1 qualifying miscommunication Ferrari apologised to Leclerc for Monaco F1 qualifying miscommunication
O’Ward on Ericsson Indy 500 clash: “I won’t forget that one”
O’Ward on Ericsson Indy 500 clash: “I won’t forget that one” O’Ward on Ericsson Indy 500 clash: “I won’t forget that one”
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.