Nico Hulkenberg believes his chances of one day joining one of the sport's three front-running teams are slim, but that doesn't mean the German has given up on success in Formula 1.
Hulkenberg started his career in Grand Prix racing with Williams in 2010. Eight years and 146 races later, the 30-year-old is still searching for a podium finish, let alone an outright win.
He's still a believer in success however, even if it likely won't happen with Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull.
"I’m skeptical that this is going to happen between me and one of the three big teams, just looking at it realistically," he told Sky F1.
"I think there’s so many chances you have in a career and I don’t get the sense that they have a big appetite for me too. These are the facts, I think."
Hulkenberg, who moved from Force India to Renault in 2017, has strong faith in the French manufacturer's ability to join its rivals at the head of the field and transform an unassailable trio into a quartet.
"I’m very much interested to achieve it together with Renault and really work ourselves up there.
"We’re trying to work our way up there, it still takes some time.
"If we get the best out of ourselves and beat the midfield, that’s good for the moment but obviously with time we want to become more competitive and get closer to the big guys."
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