Carlos Sainz has admitted that he was surprised for Nico Hulkenberg that he would not be at Renault next season but concedes that the Ocon and Renault partnership was inevitable.
On Thursday it was announced that Esteban Ocon would partner Daniel Ricciardo in the 2020 season, with the Frenchman returning to the grid after one year out. It meant Hulkenberg will be without a seat as it stands next season but he has been linked with drives at Red Bull and Haas.
Sainz drove alongside Hulkenberg last season before he joined McLaren this season and the Spaniard spoke of his surprise at Hulkenberg being dropped, considering all he has done for the constructor.
"I was not surprised. Ocon and Renault has been coming for a long time, they are two that they loved and in the end it was going to happen sooner or later," Sainz said on Ocon's move, as quoted by AS.
"I'm surprised by Nico, for everything he has done for Renault and the leadership he has had within the team, he has taken him from where they started in 2016 so far."