Nico Hulkenberg is set to be announced as Renault driver, as the French team look for an all new driver line-up for 2017 and are likely to ditch both current drivers, Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer, at the end of this season.
Auto Bild are reporting that the deal with Hulkenberg is signed and now the team are seeking a French driver for the second seat.
Recently we reported that Renault management requested an option extension from Magnussen, and no it transpires that the team were negotiating a deal with Sergio Perez as well as Hulkenberg – experience high on the team’s wishlist.
The Mexican wanted a one year contract (as he has Ferrari ambitions for 2018) while Renault were insisting a on a longer deal, which Perez refused and opted to extend with his existing team for another season.
Hence Hulkenberg became the number one choice and, according to a separate source close to Renault insiders, an agreement was reached with an announcement set to happen before the United States Grand Prix.
Esteban Ocon was up until recently the favourite for a seat with Renault, but now it has emerged that the deal was done with a handshake between Mercedes chief Toto Wolff (who looks after Ocon’s interests through the junior team programme) and Renault team boss Frederic Vasseur.
Vasseur is reportedly on his way out of the team after less than a year, as he appears to be the loser in a power struggle with Renault F1 CEO Cyril Abiteboul, with the latter set to remain in charge thanks to his connections with the board.
Thus Ocon, a Vasseur choice, may no longer be a certainty for the drive. Latest candidates that have emerged for the seat include former Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne as well as Red Bull Junior Pierre Gasly.
Meanwhile with Hulkenberg departing Force India, a good race seat will be up for grabs and the smart money is that Mercedes will do a deal most likely for Pacal Wehrlein, with Ocon also an option should the Frenchman not be signed up by Renault and outshine Wehrlein in the remaining races.
No comments:
Post a Comment