Renault considering recreating the Hülkenberg/Pérez duo in 2018

While the season is far from over, Renault is already working to find a replacement for Jolyon Palmer for the 2018 season. According to the sports newspaper *L’Equipe*, discussions have begun between the French team and Mexican driver Sergio Pérez, currently a leading figure for Force India.

For the moment, there is no question of Pérez leaving his team mid-season as the results have been promising since the beginning of the year, with a series of five points-scoring races that ended this weekend in Monaco. However, the temptation of being recruited by a constructor team would be strong for the native of Guadalajara, who somewhat missed his chance at McLaren in 2013. If the transfer were to happen, it would indeed be for next season, even though Palmer’s position is becoming increasingly threatened as the season progresses.

The main obstacle for Renault is that Pérez, who was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, hopes that in the event of Kimi Räikkönen’s potential retirement at the end of the year, he will be chosen as the Finnish driver’s replacement.

If the discussions were to come to fruition, Renault would reestablish the duo Nico Hülkenberg/Sergio Pérez, which successfully operated from 2014 to 2016 at Force India. Let’s recall that Pérez had already started serious discussions with the Enstone structure for 2017, as he wished and still wishes to join a manufacturer, but without success.

Cyril Abitboul, director of the Renault team, responded in Monaco to journalists by putting pressure on Palmer: « We need to have results. Nico Hülkenberg shows that the car is good enough to be in the top ten and score points. Jolyon will also have to contribute. We support him greatly. But we are in an ultra-competitive environment and everyone is under pressure for results. For now, it is up to us to give him the optimal working conditions. We will take the time to analyze the situation. »