Despite signed to Force India till the end of 2017. It is Hülkenberg has been released from Force India to signed with Renault on a two-year deal till the end of the 2018 season, with an option to extend the deal into 2019.
The move brings to an end Hülkenberg's second spell with Force India, with a season at Sauber in 2013 sandwiching a two-year stint as a test-driver in 2011 and a race driver in 2012 and his current three-season run from 2014.
In my opinion, this is not a big surprise this news happen. It has been strongly rumoured since the Japanese Grand Prix that Hülkenberg has signed a deal with Renault. In a previous post, I guessed that he might have a cause in his contract that a big team might take his services to their team in 2017, that might have activate with Renault as a works team.
Also, Hülkenberg possibly signed to Renault because of Renault team boss Frédéric Vasseur. Because Vasseur helped Nico Hülkenberg during his early career with the ART Grand Prix team during 2007 and 2009 winning both European F3 championships in 2008 and GP2 championship in 2009.
Its great news for the Renault team as they have got a talented and experienced Grand Prix driver. But, better then their current drivers, properly in experienced. But, for Nico Hülkenberg it is a gamble to join the Renault F1 Team due to this season results, ninth in the constructor standings with only eight points. But with next season, the team will have a better car and power unit package as showned by Red Bull Racing, with that it might be the right time to join Renault next season.
It means Renault now has just one remaining seat available for 2017, with a number of names are in the frame, including current drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer.
Former Renault reserve driver Esteban Ocon, currently racing with Manor, is also in the running, and the favourite choice for the team due to his French and in a French team would help sales of Renaults in French market.
However, it is believed he is now become a target for Force India to replace Hülkenberg, would likely be the replacement at Force India as he is highly rated with the team and the association with Mercedes as a development driver.
Another option for Renault is Valtteri Bottas, who has started discussions with the team as a plan B should Williams fail to take up the option on his contract, due to Frédéric Vasseur. Because Vasseur helped Valtteri Bottas during his early career with the ART Grand Prix team during 2009 and 2011 winning the GP3 championship in 2011. A Hülkenberg and Bottas super team may be right choice. Time will tell who will be driving alongside Hülkenberg at Renault next season.
Things are looking up for the Renault team in 2017, despite it will be once again another developing year for Reanult.
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