There’s no place like home for Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg.
The German is so happy with Force India that he has signed a new deal to drive for the British-based team for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
“I feel at home here so it made perfect sense to make a long-term commitment,” Hulkenberg said in a team statement.
“I know this team inside out and the progress shown over the last two years has really impressed me and gives me confidence for the future.”
Highly-regarded Hulkenberg had been one of the names linked with a potential switch to Ferrari in 2016, and not for the first time in his F1 career.
But the Italian team ended the usual frenzied speculation by re-signing Finnish favorite Kimi Raikkonen to drive alongside Sebastian Vettel in 2016.
Hulkenberg, who burnished his reputation by winning the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race with Porsche in his spare time this season, becomes the latest driver to save his spot on the grid for next season.
His teammate Sergio Perez has yet to commit his future to Force India and the Mexican has been linked with a move to Lotus.
The so-called driver merry-go-around usually spins into action as summer draws to a close and the racers will inevitably face more questions over their future at this week’s Italian Grand Prix.
There are no worries, however, for world champion Lewis Hamilton, who inked a three-year deal with Mercedes in May, or his teammate Nico Rosberg.
Hamilton heads to the full-throttle Monza circuit with a 28-point lead over Rosberg in the world championship and chasing a seventh win of the season.
“Racing in Italy brings back a lot of good memories for me, and I’ve love to add to those this weekend, so that’s the aim,” said the double world champion in a team statement.
Rosberg arrives in Italy with an extra incentive after his wife Vivian gave birth to their first child, a daughter, on Sunday.
Who will win the Italian Grand Prix? Send us your predictions on CNN Sport’s Facebook page or via Twitter.