Nico Hulkenberg says he's open to a longer F1 return but isn't desperate

Nico Hulkenberg says that he is open to a longer stint in F1 in the future but is not desperate for it after his spell with Aston Martin.

The German has been a deputy in the last couple of years for the Silverstone-based team, standing in for the likes of Sergio Perez and, most recently, Sebastian Vettel when they have contracted covid.

Indeed, he’s done a solid job whenever called upon and, whenever he has driven, many have suggested he should be on the grid longer term than he is.

For this season at least, though, the best he can hope for is a bit-part role and he has said that he would surely like to come back to the sport if it was possible on a more permanent basis, though he is not desperate.

Quoted after the Saudi Arabian GP by GP Fans, Hulkenberg explained:

“Of course I miss racing. That’s natural but I’m keen, not desperate.

“If it’s not to be…I was more or less mentally done with it, and obviously these things now, because of corona, did happen – 2020 and now, and who knows what might happen for the future.

“I see it being quite difficult and tricky to get a drive but if there’s an opportunity, call me.”

Sebastian Vettel will be back in the car for the Australian Grand Prix next weekend, as the sport makes its return to Albert Park for the first time since 2019.

It’ll be a welcome sight seeing the cars charging around the Melbourne circuit once more, with it making some intriguing changes to the layout in a bid to improve the opportunities for overtaking.

Barring any late positive covid cases, though, Hulkenberg will have a watching brief only of the action in Australia, and Aston Martin will be eager to try and climb the field with both Vettel and Lance Stroll behind the wheel.