Hulkenberg dreams of seat at Mercedes: 'Every driver wants that'

Nico Hulkenberg drove for six different Formula 1 teams, so the German knows better than anyone what it is like to change working places. Lewis Hamilton is a lot more modest in that aspect. The seven-time world champion (39) competed for just two teams in his long F1 career. After his time at McLaren, the Brit seemed to have grown attached to Mercedes, but after the upcoming season he is opting for a new adventure at Ferrari.

It was a transition that rocked Formula 1. Nico Hulkenberg was also surprised by Hamilton's announcement, telling Auto, Motor und Sport: "When a driver has been with the team for so long, you try to understand something like that. How long was Lewis with Mercedes? Eleven years? My personal record is four or so. At some point you need a new challenge, a change of scenery. Also don't forget that the last two years didn't go so well for Lewis."

With the announced transfer of Hamilton, the so-called silly season has started early. So a spot at Mercedes will become vacant, while a seat may also be available at Red Bull Racing - where Sergio Perez's future is unclear. Hulkenberg says that with the changing driver market, things might also start to change for him.

"It keeps shifting," says the German. "It will be some interesting months. An interesting cockpit is opening up [thanks to Hamilton]. Every driver wants to be in the best possible car. That's why you want to position yourself as well as possible. Of course, a lot depends on what the car allows and how you can put yourself in the shop window."