Sebastian Vettel ‘hopes’ Nico Hulkenberg finds a seat next year

Over the summer break there had been rumours about where Ocon was going to end up driving, be it Mercedes or Renault until the Silver Arrows confirmed Valtteri Bottas for another year.

Renault then announced that the Frenchman would be driving alongside Daniel Ricciardo in 2020, leaving Hulkenberg searching for a new team and has been linked with Haas.

Vettel said (quoted by GPToday.net): "Nico is the same age as I am.

"I think we raced go-karts together. I don't believe that he's out, and I hope he finds a seat.

“The problem is that our sport is the best sport in the world."

The German also mentioned how expensive it has become to race in motorsport, playing an issue in young drivers getting involved in the sport.

"Our sport has always been expensive, but it has become so expensive that it's become nearly impossible for normal people to start racing, start to do motorsport at a young age," Vettel added.

"Why? There's a couple of reasons but I don't want to start because I'd never end.

“In general, we have very strong championships in Germany, great infrastructure, good go-karts tracks and amazing circuits.

"But if you look at the grid, there are mostly people from abroad. There are not many Germans left.

“So I guess it's got to a point where it's where you need to be introduced to the sport, and that's the core problem."