Nico Hulkenberg insists Force India is not a stop-gap option for his Formula 1 career.

The German’s return to the team, which he drove for in 2012 before a year hiatus with Sauber, was confirmed on Tuesday.

And while Hulkenberg had been in the frame to partner Romain Grosjean at Lotus, he believes Force India is a growing power in F1 and he is therefore not viewing his move as temporary.

“I think you understand we’re not really wishing to speak about the contract, but the deal obviously means more than one year,” Hulkenberg said when asked about his future.

“I’m happy coming back here. I think – and hope – they can put a competitive package together with which we can do something special next year.

“I know this place very well, therefore I think the bedding in and adapting time will go pretty quickly. I should integrate fairly quickly.

“I think [the team] has taken good future decisions in terms of engine partner, and the team is growing. The structure is getting bigger and bigger.

“I’ve obviously not been here for a year now but quite a lot has changed and I can see it is moving forwards.”

NO FRUSTRATION OVER LOTUS

Hulkenberg denied any lingering frustration about losing out to Pastor Maldonado in the fight for the Lotus seat, saying the dynamic of drivers bringing money to teams was simply a facet of the sport.

“I think everyone will have their own opinion about it; their own individual thoughts,” he explained.

“I don’t think it is an entirely new situation, is has been around for a few years now that we have some drivers who come with financial backing. That is probably positive for them.

“I don’t have something to offer like that, so I have to work around it. It is what it is.

“It’s not the first time I have experienced something like that – I lost the seat at Williams [in 2010].

“To be honest I don’t spend too much time thinking about it. I try to get my energy on the important subjects and to get my career in the right way.”