Hulkenberg expecting 'clearance' on future within weeks

Nico Hulkenberg will know within a few weeks whether he'll be racing next season or perhaps sitting out the year after his departure from Renault at the end of 2019.

Following Esteban Ocon's return to action with Renault next year, Hulkenberg finds himself with few viable F1 options for 2020 after an opportunity to join Haas failed to materialize.

Seats remain potentially available at Alfa Romeo and Williams, but Ferrari-backed Antonio Giovinazzi is expected to renew his contract with the Swiss outfit while Williams is likely to promote reserve driver Nicholas Latifi to a race seat as the Canadian's services would come with a much-needed budget.

• Rosberg still sees Hulkenberg as Red Bull's best bet

It's also late in the day for a move to Formula E for Hulkenberg, although Mahindra is rumored to have courted the German.

Queried in Sochi last weekend on his future, the 32-year-old expects "clearance" in a few weeks.

"We’ll see, I don’t know yet," Hulkenberg said. "Hopefully in a couple of weeks’ time we’ll have clearance about that. But as of now it’s not decided, not confirmed.

"I heard that there were people coming, or wanting to talk, via friends and stuff, of people we know in common. But I haven’t pursued that yet," explained the Hulk, referring to his Formula E prospects.

"Ideally it would all be done now, and we move on, but it’s not done yet. I think it’s a matter of another few weeks.

"I don’t think it will take that much longer to be honest, so obviously the sooner the better, it’s good for everyone to have clarity but as of now it’s nothing yet."

A veteran of 188 Grands Prix, Hulkenberg, who started his career in F1 with Williams in 2010, holds the unenviable record as the driver with the most F1 races under his belt without ever achieving a podium.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter