RUMOUR: Perez in talks with Renault!

Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul already made clear that Renault will want to build a car that would be able to attract the likes of Daniel Ricciardo next year, but now, a rumour has surfaced of Force India's Sergio Perez being in talks with the French outfit.

F1today.net reports there's been contact between Perez and Renault. Renault already wanted to sign the Mexican two years ago, before he decided to put pen to paper at Force India. Now, a new chance has come for the French team to sign him.

Renault is actively looking to replace Carlos Sainz Junior, who is on loan from Red Bull. The Bulls will most likely call the Spaniard back, should Daniel Ricciardo leave at the end of the season, reuniting the partnership between Sainz and Verstappen.

Hulkenberg and Perez were also teammates at Force India, where they reportedly were on good terms with each other for years. They were the foundation for when the team rose through the ranks of F1 to where they are today.

If Perez leaves Force India, that could be good news for George Russell. The Mercedes protégé will be eyeing Perez's empty seat to make his debut in F1. He's had an up and down season in the Formula 2 so far, but did manage to win the sprint race in Azerbaijan.