Renault "considering different options" after Nico Hulkenberg's crash in Germany

F1 News

31 July 2019 at 12:02

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has said that the team is "considering different options" in terms of their driver line up for next season. The pressure seems to be on Nico Hulkenberg and after crashing out of the German Grand Prix Abiteboul is worried that the Renault driver is not up to the level that they want him to be. There are rumours that Esteban Ocon could be taking his seat for next season. 

"Let's be honest, this incident came at a time of important discussions," Abiteboul said to AUTOhebdo.fr. "We are considering different options for next season, and he knows it. It is something that comes into play. It is a human and even sentimental issue because Nico has been with us for three years now.

Abiteboul is worried that there are psychological issues causing the German not to perform. 

"We have the impression that when he is on the verge of winning a good result, be it a sixth-place or something else, he escapes him because it sabotages itself. He does not seem to want to work in a "psychoanalytic" way on this.

"We talked about it together because we are worried about it. What is certain is that, since so many things happened during the race, we cannot completely blame him."

It will be interesting to see what lineup Renault choose for next season and if Esteban Ocon does get a seat in Formula 1.