Hulkenberg still in limbo over failed Ferrari move

Nico Hulkenberg has revealed that he is yet to be told why he was not signed by Ferrari for the 2014 F1 season. 

The German driver enjoyed a strong 2013 campaign with Sauber and was on Ferrari's radar to replace Felipe Massa. 

Positive talks between Hulkenberg and the Maranello-based team took place, although Ferrari opted for 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen. 

To this day, Hulkenberg remains unsure why he missed out on the seat to partner Fernando Alonso, with no explanation having been given to him by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who was Ferrari's team principal at the time. 

Hulkenberg has attempted to get an answer from Domenicali, although the German has always received the same message from the Italian.

"He keeps saying the same thing. 'Not now, come back later,'" Hulkenberg told the German Press Agency.

Asked when 'later' is, Hulkenberg himself is unsure: "No idea, I don't have a crystal ball."

Whilst the move to Ferrari never happened, Hulkenberg has competed for factory teams. He raced for the factory Renault outfit from 2017 to 2019 and will be driving for the new factory Audi team in 2026.