Sainz F1 future yet to be determined

Carlos Sainz is not yet out of the running to keep his Renault seat for 2019. What is known is that Nico Hulkenberg will be staying with the French works team.

Hulkenberg told German told Auto Hebdo: "I am still pleased with my decision to join Renault. Of course, it will still take time. Will it be one, two, three years? We will see.

"I doubt the 2019 rule changes will change the hierarchy a lot. But we cannot afford to miss the big 'reset' of 2021."

Finding certainty

The identity of his 2019 team mate is less certain.

Renault is happy with Sainz, but the Spaniard is only 'on loan' from Red Bull. And in Hungary, rumours grew stronger that Esteban Ocon could replace him.

Sainz, in turn, has been linked with McLaren.

READ: Sainz set to stay at Renault

But Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul is not ruling out Sainz yet, even though he is believed to want a Frenchman at the wheel.

Abiteboul told Spanish radio Cadena Cope: "We want to give Carlos a good car and we want him to stay at Renault. There is no reason to be worried."

Spanish sources say Abiteboul will soon meet with his Renault bosses Jerome Stoll and CEO Carlos Ghosn to discuss the matter.