Ocon in, Hulkenberg out at Renault

Renault have confirmed the signing of Esteban Ocon on a two-year contract to partner Daniel Ricciardo, leaving Nico Hulkenberg scrabbling to secure his Formula 1 future.

Ocon had been a contender to partner Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, but confirmation of his Renault move came shortly after the Silver Arrows announced Valtteri Bottas would stick with the champions for another year.

The Frenchman has spent 2019 on the sidelines of F1 after seeing a switch to Renault 12 months ago blocked by the blockbuster signing of Ricciardo, which broke a gentleman's agreement between Toto Wolff and Cyril Abiteboul.

However, Wolff had recently confirmed that the deal could be revitalised for 2020, with former Renault test driver Ocon ecstatic about his imminent return to racing.

Ocon said: "First and foremost, I am very proud to become a Renault driver. I have grown up at Enstone, starting with Lotus in 2010 and then with Renault.

!! I’m back !! Delighted to announce I will be joining @renaultf1team . Exciting time ahead, can’t wait 👌🏻
!!🇫🇷 Je suis de retour 🇫🇷!! Très heureux d’annoncer que je rejoins Renault F1 team une équipe qui m’a fait grandir. Hâte de commencer 🔥👌🏻 #EO31 pic.twitter.com/M1dfJsBnXD

— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) August 29, 2019

"I am very attached to this team and everyone who works there; they are the ones who opened the doors of top level motorsport for me. Secondly, I am pleased that a team with big ambitions has entrusted me with the opportunity to once again demonstrate my skills at the highest level of F1.

"It is a responsibility I take very seriously. The confidence they have in me to help the progression of the team is a very positive pressure and I look forward to giving the best of myself."

Hulkenberg has been mentioned as a candidate for a potential seat at Haas, if Romain Grosjean opts to move on, although the German could be a candidate at Red Bull, should they opt to look outside of their development programme.

Reports earlier this year suggested that Hulkenberg had been sought to replace Pierre Gasly, whose under-performance alongside Max Verstappen has seen him demoted to Toro Rosso for the remainder of 2019, with Alexander Albon filling his shoes.

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