![\"Nico-Hulkenberg-1\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/gallery\/f1-2013-rif-images\/f1-2013-drivers\/Nico-Hulkenberg-1.jpg\")
Asked by the Swiss newspaper Blick to say where he is going after the Brazil finale, the Sauber driver answered: “I can only say that I am going (on), but not where.<\/p>\nNico Hulkenberg has admitted the likelihood of a Lotus race seat for 2014 has dropped almost to zero.<\/p>\n
Asked by the Swiss newspaper Blick to say where he is going after the Brazil finale, the Sauber driver answered: “I can only say that I am going (on), but not where.<\/p>\n
“The options are well known,” said the German, who despite having a seat fitting at Enstone this week ultimately decided against replacing Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen for the last two races of 2013.<\/p>\n
“Force India, Sauber, Lotus,” said Hulkenberg.<\/p>\n
But the implication of his ‘no’ to Lotus is that the financially-struggling team could not offer him a seat for 2014.<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg did say Lotus would at least have paid him for Austin and Brazil.\u00a0 “Of course I would not drive for nothing.\u00a0 I’m not a charity,” he insisted.<\/p>\n
For 2014, however, he admitted: “The chances are the worst at Lotus.\u00a0 If you believe the rumours, Maldonado is already there.”<\/p>\n
Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that the deadline for Lotus’ ‘Quantum’ deal to be finalised is Friday.<\/p>\n
But correspondent Michael Schmidt said even Lotus no longer believes in a “miracle”.<\/p>\n
Mark Webber described a driver market in which the highly-rated Hulkenberg could be left on the sidelines as “unhealthy” for the pinnacle of motor sport.<\/p>\n
Indeed, Hulkenberg admitted it is curious he was never in real contention to replace Sergio Perez at McLaren.<\/p>\n
“I often spoke to Martin Whitmarsh,” he said.\u00a0 “It’s hard to know why there was so little interest.\u00a0 I believe I have made all the right arguments on the track.”<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he said the uncertainty of late 2010 – when Williams left him without a seat for 2011 at the very last minute – was a worse feeling.<\/p>\n
“It was constantly put off and put off until I had nothing,” said Hulkenberg.\u00a0 “But I was still new to the business.\u00a0 Now I’ve got used to it.”<\/p>\n
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