Renault struggle meant 'something had to give' - Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg believes he is the casualty for Renault falling short if 2019's targets, with Esteban Ocon to replace him from next season.

Having finished fourth in 2018 and captured Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull, Renault wanted to set about catching up to the top three in F1 this year.

However, that has not worked out and Renault are fifth, having only closed the gap to fourth-placed McLaren to 18 points with a mightily strong Italian GP, which saw Ricciardo and Hulkenberg finish fourth and fifth respectively.

Renault have suggested that Hulkenberg would not accept their offer of a one-year deal as he sought a longer-term agreement, while team boss Cyril Abiteboul has talkd up the refreshing impact that signing Ocon will hopefully bring to the team.

Hulkenberg said: "I think we were more or less in agreement, but different drivers at different stages of their careers, there are different commercial things…

"There is also obviously the nationality factor here, and some other factors like the state of their career, so it's a bunch of things.

"And then again the difficult season that we're facing probably tipped it over the edge a little bit. Things are connected.

"I've been here three years now, '17 was good progress, '18 was still good. This year we've had a tough year and with the difficult year that we're having, there is some wish for change, something had to give.

"That contributes to that and probably leads to this decision. It's a pity that we can't continue, because this year we wanted to make a step forward, but couldn't really get it."

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