Hulkenberg rules out F1 reserve role, calls DTM link ‘fake news’
Nico Hulkenberg has ruled out taking up a reserve or simulator role with a Formula 1 team for the 2020 season, as well as calling links to BMW’s DTM team “fake news”.
Hulkenberg has been frozen out of the F1 grid for next year, having lost his seat with Renault to Esteban Ocon before missing out on drives at both Haas and Alfa Romeo.
Nico Hulkenberg has ruled out taking up a reserve or simulator role with a Formula 1 team for the 2020 season, as well as calling links to BMW’s DTM team “fake news”.
Hulkenberg has been frozen out of the F1 grid for next year, having lost his seat with Renault to Esteban Ocon before missing out on drives at both Haas and Alfa Romeo.
Alfa Romeo was the last viable option for Hulkenberg prior to the team’s confirmation of Antonio Giovinazzi alongside Kimi Raikkonen for 2020 on Monday, realistically ending the German’s chances of keeping an F1 drive after he ruled out a return to Williams.
Speaking prior to Alfa Romeo’s announcement last week in Austin, Hulkenberg was asked whether he would consider stepping down to a reserve or simulator role with an F1 team to retain his links to the sport for 2020.
But he made clear he would not consider it, saying: “No, that’s not an option.”
Asked if he would rather race something else, Hulkenberg said: “Or maybe not race for a while. Honestly, I don’t know right now.
“It depends on what happens and what unfolds here. Once we have that answer, I’ll look at other things.
“I don’t want to rush into something or jump on something just to race. It needs to be something that I like, a challenge that excites me.
“I have no conclusion, no perfect answer for that yet.”
Hulkenberg was linked by reports in both the German and British media to a move into DTM for 2020, with one story claiming he was due to be unveiled as a BMW driver this week.
Hulkenberg retweeted the story to shoot it down, writing: “Thank you for the update to my future. Next time maybe less pot-stirring? #fakenews”
Besten Dank an @MST_Formel1 für das Update zu meiner Zukunft..
— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) November 4, 2019
Nächstes Mal vielleicht weniger Topfschlagen?! #FakeNews https://t.co/U3P9LdMHtr
Additional reporting by Julianne Cerasoli.
