Nico Hulkenberg says he is partly “e🐲xcited” about some elements of not being on the Fꦿormula 1 grid for the 2020 season. 

Hulkenberg will be replaced at Renault by Esteban Ocon next year and has been unsuccessful in landing a seat elsewhere, with all the remaining spots on the 20ꦕ20 grid already locked out. 

The German finished 12th in his last race for Renault at last weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which marks his 177th and final F1 race after a 10-year spell i𒉰n the cham🐭pionship. 

“I’ve known for a while that this was coming but I🀅’m fine about it,” Hulkenberg said in Abu Dhab𝕴i. 

“Also part of me is kind of excited ab🌠out the times ah💮ead, close this chapter and open a new one. 

“What might happen and might not happen in the future, ꦅI don’t know, nobody knows right now. 

“But for me obviously it’s good just to get away for a while and want to disconnect from racing for a few months and then see what I’m up to, where my head is and my heart, and reassess. ♕;

“I’m not ruling out anything,” he added. “ꦗThat’s why for me, it’s still fun at the moment and a big part of me is excited about that break that I’m going to get. 

“Just not living in this schedule,൲ in this rhythm, havin🐷g to do these things at these times that are preset. 

“Th🍒is is obviously an amazing job and we’re all pretty fortunate to be in this industry. 

“Formula 1 is very unique, very coo𝓀l and special but of course it’s kind of a preset life, you have to follow a schedule, all the trouble you do, all the commitm🃏ent in between that we have as drivers that also not everybody sees or is aware of. 

“It can be q🍷uite intense at times. So just to get awayౠ from that.” 

Hulkenberg is yet to firm up any racing plans for 2020 amid linkꦕs to a possible switch to America and competing in either IndyCar or NASCAR.