Hulkenberg insists F1 future 'out of my control'

Nico Hulkenberg insists he doesn't hold the cards to his future in Formula 1 but reckons a few realistic chances for him to remain on the grid in 2020 still exist.

On Thursday in Singapore, Haas confirmed on Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean as its 2020 line-up, shutting a door that many believed was open for Hulkenberg.

With Red Bull and Toro Rosso almost certain to choose their drivers from within the energy drink company's existing pool of chargers, only Alfa Romeo and Williams are viewed as potential destinations for Hulkenberg.

"I think you see and understand for yourself what's available, which seats and which not," Hulkenberg said on Thursday.

"I think that's pretty obvious. Right now, it's to a big extent out of my control, out of my hands.

"We just need a bit more time. I think there are still possibilities and realistic chances, but in this game, you can never be too sure."

• Steiner: VF19 issues deterred Haas from signing Hulkenberg

While Haas was interested in Hulkenberg, team boss Guenther Steiner said the team never made a formal offer to Hulkenberg, which the Renault driver confirmed.

"We didn't get together with Haas," said the 32-year-old.

"Haas was definitely an option, and we were talking, that's definitely not a secret. We just didn't get together on this occasion, we couldn't agree a deal."

Regarding Alfa Romeo, Hulkenberg said he enjoyed a good personal relationship with the Swiss outfit's team boss Fred Vasseur, having raced for the Frenchman during his junior days in F3 and F2.

"We've known each other since many years, he's obviously the guy that brought me here [to Renault] as well, that I did the deal with ultimately. I guess it doesn't hurt."

Hulkenberg also assessed a potential opportunity with Williams, the team that brought him into F1 in 2010, but underscored the British team's current struggles, insisting he wouldn't accept a seat just for the sake of remaining on the grid in 2020.

"As much as I want to continue in F1, for me it needs to make sense. It needs to be sensible," he added.

"It needs to be the right deal. I'm not desperate to stay in F1 and just take anything.

"I'm not disregarding or disrespecting Williams now, I mean in general, globally, even with Haas, that is the most important thing for me."

So far, the man with 170 Grand Prix starts under his belt, hasn't considered a move outside of F1, like Formula E.

"Honestly now, it's not just what I'm saying, I haven't looked into these options," commented the Hulk.

"I think there has been interest from inside people of this series, but I haven't really pursued that.

"My head is very much here still. And that would be only something I would consider really a little bit down the line if I knew things weren't going ahead here. But for now, no."

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