2020 chips to begin falling at Spa
Toto Wolff wasn't prepared to risk Esteban Ocon's career by putting him alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
The 2020 drivers line up will begin to take shape, at least the midfield part, at Spa with Renault expected to announce Esteban Ocon on Thursday.
And that, according to the rumour mill, will be followed a week later by Haas confirming Nico Hulkenberg.
Last year Ocon was rumoured to be heading to Renault for 2019 only for that to deal to fall apart when Daniel Ricciardo made himself available.
As such the Frenchman has spent this year on the sidelines, taking up a role as Mercedes’ reserve driver.
He will, however, be back on the grid next season as Ricciardo’s Renault team-mate.
That means Hulkenberg is out of Renault, although not out of Formula 1.
Check out the latest Formula 1 gossip via our dedicated rumours section.
While Ocon’s new job is expected to be announced on the Thursday of the Belgian Grand Prix, Hulkenberg’s confirmation as a Haas driver will come a week later at Monza.
It is not yet known which of the two Haas drivers, Romain Grosjean or Kevin Magnussen, he will replace, however, it is thought it will be Grosjean.
And while all that is playing out, Mercedes are expected to announce a new one-year deal with Valtteri Bottas.
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