Hulkenberg won Le Mans at his first attempt in 2015 for Porsche alongside Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber – both of whom have been elevated to full-time drives with Porsche’s LMP1 team in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The German was unable to defend his crown last year when the race clashed with the inaugural Grand Prix in Baku, but when asked if he had considered a comeback this year as there’s no conflicting dates, he replied: “No.”

Hulkenberg clarified that his decision had nothing to do with the injury sustained by Sauber’s Pascal Wehrlein during the Race Of Champions in Miami in January, but stated he was “committed” to Renault becoming successful in F1.

“Nothing to do with Pascal, or what happened to him, I didn’t quite have the appetite this year to do it,” he added.

“When you are committed to a manufacturer, then you’re committed – with Force India there was no manufacturer involved so it was easier anyway from the start.

“I think it’s good the way it is now. I’ve been there, done it, very fortunate to win it and lucky. So let’s leave it the way it is and I can return, perhaps, in the future.”