Nico Hulkenberg has "good options" in F1 for 2016

Hulkenberg was one of the names in the frame for Kimi Raikkonen's seat should the Scuderia have chosen to dispense with the services of the Finn.

Ferrari, however, ended months of speculation on Wednesday by opting to take up the option in the 2007 world champion's contract for next season.

Hulkenberg, who turned 28 on Wednesday, concedes he was neither surprised nor disappointed by Ferrari's news regarding Raikkonen.

"I knew it was coming, and if there's no expectation there can't be disappointment," said Hulkenberg.

"There are a few good options out there, and I'm pretty confident I can put something good together and that I'll be here next year in a good car."

As to whether he would be willing to join new team Haas, Hulkenberg said: "It depends on what options you have and how many.

"But this is the time of the year when you talk to everyone and you assess your options.

"You put things how you like them and make a decision when the time is right.

"At the moment I'm working quietly in the background preparing everything."

For now, Hulkenberg is hopeful Force India can take another step forward with its B-spec car in this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

"The B-spec is a big success so far and the team is pushing really hard right now for some more updates here this weekend, and also I think for Singapore," he said.

"I'm quite excited about that because what they promised [performance-wise] for the B-spec was really happening, so if updates keep coming like this then things are looking quite good and promising."