Hulkenberg ready to throw in the towel regarding F1

©AstonMartin

Nico Hulkenberg sees no chance of returning to the F1 grid next season, revealing that he is not in talks with Alfa Romeo Racing over the team's second seat.

With all but the identity of Valtteri Bottas' future teammate confirmed for F1's class of 2022, Hulkenberg will be left out in the cold for the second year running.

The German, who holds the unenviable record in F1 of having taking part in the most Grands Prix without scoring a podium, last raced in F1 in 2020 when he filled in for Racing Point's Covid-sidelined drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll at three races.

Hulkenberg has since kept his ear to the ground and remains Aston Martin's official reserve driver. But the hope of returning full time to the fray has inevitably faded away for the 34-yaer-old.

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"There are no talks with Alfa Romeo," Hulkenberg told Germany's Bild.

"After all, that would have been the last option for a permanent seat in 2022, after all the other cockpits have been allocated."

Hulkenberg added that "life goes on" and that he had received "exciting enquiries from other series" that he will consider.

"I'm in no hurry to make a decision," he said. "I'll sort everything out and see how things progress".

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.