Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has firmly denied any contact with Nico Hulkenberg over a 2020 drive.
After the Monaco Grand Prix, it was suggested the Austrian had pinpointed the German as a possible replacement for Pierre Gasly, who has struggled since joining at the start of the year.
It was even claimed the contact was made as a final dig at Renault, in the back and forth between the former partners that has gone on for several years.
“These rumours are so far-fetched that I do not even want to comment on them anymore," he told Germany's AutoBild.
“It’s absolute nonsense, that’s what I said to Gasly, who even called me about it.”
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- Gasly: Red Bull giving me 'the best environment to develop'
There can be no doubt, however, that if the Frenchman can't be seen as a reliable back-up to Max Verstappen, Red Bull may have to reconsider their choice for 2020 at least.
