Nico Hulkenberg has never been in the running for the position of test and reserve driver at Red Bull Racing. The German said so in an interview with Motorsport-Total.com. In the interview the 33-year old driver also states that Helmut Marko never told him why Sergio Perez was chosen instead of him.
Marko did not give a concrete reason, but that does not bother Hulkenberg. The man from Emmerich does not blame the Red Bull Racing advisor at all. "It's their decision in the end," Hulkenberg told the German media.
After Perez was chosen by the Austrian formation, he has not had an offer to join Max Verstappen's team in another role. "At the end of last year it was mainly about the permanent seat which then went to 'Checo', as we all know. For Red Bull, it was then very clear that Albon would fill this position (that of test and reserve driver). So of course I was then approached by other teams."
Both Mercedes and Aston Martin are angling for Hulkenberg's services. It is not yet clear exactly what he will do next year in Formula 1, but it is clear that he wants to stay involved in the pinnacle of motorsport and return to the grid in 2022. Hulkenberg has certainly not put a comeback out of his mind.