Nico Hulkenberg believes it is “quite likely” that he will remain with Renault into the 2020 season, accepting its Formula 1 progress has not been as quick as hoped.
Hulkenberg, following spells with Williams, Sauber and Force India, linked up with Renault on a three-year deal in 2017, one year after the manufacturer made a full-scale return to the series.
Hulkenberg’s contract expires at the end of 2019 and Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul commented last month that the team would consider its options regarding Daniel Ricciardo’s 2020 team-mate.
It is understood that Mercedes-backed Esteban Ocon, whom the team came close to signing for 2019 before swooping on Ricciardo, is high on the list of candidates, with the Frenchman currently without a seat after being replaced at Force India/Racing Point by Lance Stroll.
“As for now there’s nothing set in stone but I think it’s quite likely I’ll remain with the team,” Hulkenberg said on Thursday ahead of his home event in Germany.
Renault finished fourth in last year’s Constructors’ Championship but this season has been overtaken by McLaren, without making in-roads on Formula 1’s leading three teams.
“I think it’s fair to say that so far this season we can’t be entirely happy with what we’ve achieved,” he said.
“To start with we had a lot of issues and missed out on results, but a little bit more disappointing is just where we are in terms of pace and development rate, it’s not really where we wanted and needed to be, so behind the expectations this year.
“Probably, all in all, as well not entirely happy if you look across the three years, we can’t be entirely happy with what we’ve done.
“Nevertheless, the outlook is still good, we still see light at the end of the tunnel and we believe we can still catch up to some extent – how much is still is always difficult to say with entire certainty but we will see what happens in the future.”
Hulkenberg believes McLaren’s advantage over Renault has been skewed by the team’s own failings with its R.S.19.
“[The gap] is 21 points that’s a fact,” said Hulkenberg.
“But I think we could be right up there with them if you add up all of the complications we had, all the missed results and problems.
“We should be there or thereabouts but for sure McLaren look very strong at the moment and are probably one of our main competitors that we will probably be battling with from here until the end.”
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