Formula 1: Who Will Nico Hulkenberg Drive for in 2014?

In his short Formula One career, Nico Hulkenberg has more than proved his talent. In 48 race starts for mid-table teams he's claimed one pole position, one fastest lap and amassed a total of 92 points.

Compared to the exploits of Sebastain Vettel or Lewis Hamilton his record may appear ordinary, but they've had competitive cars—something Hulkenberg never has.

So when Hulkenberg moved to Sauber from Force India for 2013 he hoped that might start to change. It certainly appeared to be a step in the right direction.

Sadly for him, it turned out to be quite the opposite.

After a promising 2012, during which they punched well above their weight and scored four podiums, the Swiss team have produced a dog of a car this year. Hulkenberg has scored just seven points from the first 10 races.

There's a good chance he'll leave Sauber at the end of the year, but he's unlikely to leave F1.

Still only 25, he has a lot to offer the sport and is one of an ever-shrinking number of drivers who get by purely on talent, without having to rely on sponsors.

There appear to be a few options open, with three standing out.

Sauber

This is where Hulkenberg currently plies his trade, but all is not well.

Some reports claim he terminated his contract with the team—leaving him free to move if he wishes—in early July.

None of the more reputable news sources ran this story, so it's best considered a rumour. But the financial troubles Sauber have are very real.

The team have agreed a substantial sponsorship deal with Russian investors which will keep them alive, but it comes with a price.

The price is finding a role for Sergei Sirotkin. He's the 17-year-old son of Oleg Sirotkin, Director General of the National Institute of Aviation Technologies (NIAT)—one of the companies involved.

They apparently want him in a race seat in 2014. The idea of elevating a teenager with no significant success in the lower formulae is absurd, and normally the team would quietly laugh and get on with their jobs.

But they need the investment, so—FIA Super Licence permitting—there's at least half a chance he'll be in one of the race seats next year. Probably the seat currently occupied by Hulkenberg.

No Super Licence for Sirotkin? Ah, well that makes things even worse.

According to German newspaper Die Welt (reported in English by crash.net), that could scupper the deal. And without it, there's a chance Sauber will be unable to continue in F1.

Whatever happens, it's unlikely Hulkenberg will be here next year.

Lotus

Hulkenberg has already spoken to Lotus regarding a drive for next season, so he has to be considered the No.1 contender if a seat opens up for 2014.

But it remains to be seen whether that will happen.

Kimi Raikkonen's contract is up at the end of the year. If he can, he'll go to Red Bull. There's an outside chance he might be offered a drive at Ferrari, and he'd go there too.

If neither of those moves happen (it's looking 50/50 at the moment), he'll remain at Lotus. Hulkenberg isn't going to replace Raikkonen unless the Finn actually wants to go.

The team's second driver is the talented but erratic Romain Grosjean. The Hungarian Grand Prix summed him up to perfection—great qualifying and start followed by a stupid move on Jenson Button, then a majestic pass on Felipe Massa (whatever the stewards said).

Will the team lose patience with him, or give him one more season to prove his worth?

They know he's a very good driver when he isn't crashing into people. And has the backing of French oil giant Total, also a Lotus sponsor.

Grosjean, continuity and Total versus Hulkenberg and a fresh start?

The door is wide open if Raikkonen leaves, but probably shut if he stays put.

Ferrari

This is the seat Hulkenberg will really have his eye on. There's a lot of truth in the oft-spoken belief that every driver wants to drive for Ferrari.

The Italian giants appear finally to have run out of patience with Felipe Massa, so there's a good chance of an opening next year.

And no available driver would suit the seat more than Hulkenberg.

Raikkonen is an option but Ferrari will more likely want a de facto second driver. That's how they have operated since 1996, and with Fernando Alonso leading the team it's unlikely they'll break with tradition.

They could also pick from the likes of Paul di Resta, Adrian Sutil and Jules Bianchi, but for a variety of reasons (inexperience in the case of Bianchi, for example), they don't seem to fit the Maranello mould like Hulkenberg does.

He definitely has the ability and consistency to be a valuable asset to Ferrari, and he may even graduate to lead the team one day.

There won't be many surprised faces if Hulkenberg lines up in a red car next year.