Nico Hulkenberg says he doesn’t feel like he is retiring from Formula 1, despite having seemingly run out of options to remain on the grid for 2020.

Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Alfa Romeo have all finalised their driver line-ups for the 2020 F1 season since the last race. That leaves Williams as the only team with a possible vacancy for Hulkenberg, though he has indicated he is unlikely to return to the team which gave him his grand prix debut nine years ago.

However Hulkenberg says he doesn’t feel like he is about to call time on his participation in F1.

“Just to be clear, I don’t feel like I’m retiring,” he said. “I’m not, as a race driver. I don’t feel I’m leaving Formula 1. I might not be on the grid, but if there is an opportunity. I’m going to be ready.”

While Hulkenberg’s chances to remain in F1 racing next year have dwindled, he indicated he may consider a part-time stint in IndyCar. “I guess, yes, on one side,” he said when asked.

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“To be honest, my state of mind is pretty relaxed that I want to finish the season, obviously as successfully as possible. And then after that I just want to rewind a little bit, take a moment for myself, or two or three, see what I want to do, see what seems of interest.

“I’m certainly not having the feeling that I want to rush into something just to race. So I’m pretty relaxed about it.”

Hulkenberg does not want to race on the ovals which make up five races on the 2020 IndyCar calendar. “Ovals I’ve always said I’m not a fan of,” he said. “It just doesn’t strike me and I think I also have too much respect for that. It just seems not my thing. So I would keep it limited to the road courses.”

While he indicated he may not take a decision on his future until the new year, Hulkenberg said report he could race in the DTM were “without any substance”.

“That was just someone, I don’t know [who], I guess being too bored at home and creating stories from nothing. It’s nothing with substance, really.”

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2019 F1 season