Oct.8 (GMM) A trio of German drivers are the subject of speculation about their future on the formula one grid.

Nico Hulkenberg might be concerned about his career ending after just a single season, with Williams believed to be considering replacing him with the well-funded new GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado.

"At the moment there is no news and I am not concerned," the German insisted at Suzuka.

"I want to stay and generally things look well in that respect," added Hulkenberg.

Another question-mark hangs above Adrian Sutil, although his career looks much more secure.

Switzerland's Blick newspaper thinks the German might have signed a new deal with Force India for 2011, with an out-clause in the event that Michael Schumacher opens up a place at Mercedes by returning to retirement.

"No comment at the moment really," Sutil, who has also been linked with Renault, said in Japan.

"I don't want to wait too long until I make my decision but I will probably make it very soon."

According to APA news agency, a Mercedes spokesman denied that the German squad has warned Schumacher that he needs to up his pace in order to guarantee his race seat.

The 41-year-old German also sounded keen to fulfil the next two seasons of his contract.

"It is a long term project," said the German at Suzuka. "If you think of how long it took to have success with Benetton and with Ferrari, it wasn't in the short term."

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