Nico Hulkenberg has played down the chances of him returning to Williams for the 2020 Formula 1 season, believing he is “not the right person” for the tꦦeam.

Hulkenberg is facing a race against time to remain on the F1 grid next year after losing his Renault seat to Esteban Ocon and missing out on a dr✨ive with ♋Haas.

The only two viable options for Hulkenberg in 2020 are at Alfa Romeo and William🎐s, th𒅌e latter being the team he made his F1 debut with back in 2010.

Bu♈t Hulkenberg said on Thursday in Austin that he co🐼uld not see himself replacing Robert Kubica at Williams next year, believing neither party was good fit for one another.

“I think they need s🉐omebody else. I think I’m not the right person, the right driver for them,” Hulkenberg said.

“Where I am in my career, where tꦇh🏅ey are, and the timings, I just don’t think it’s the right timing for us.

“With all due respect to the team𒊎, and obviously I🍷’ve raced for them and everything, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Hulkenberg acknowled💦ged that meant “there’s only one option” – joining Alfa Romeo, who he raced for in iꦬts previous Sauber guise in 2013 – and said he could see himself racing for the team.

Asked when he ♐expected to formalise his plans, Hulkenberไg joked: “I expected that two months ago. But here we are.

“I 🐬can’t tell. And I’d rather not put a date on it.”

Alfa Romeo is yet to confirm its second seat for 2020 alongside Kimi Raikkone🗹n, but team boss Frederic Vasseur has regularly talked up Antonio Giovinazzi’s chances of retaining the drive.

Additional reporting by Julianne Cerasoli.