Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul offered a diplomatic response on Nico Hulkenberg's future as rumours linking Esteban Ocon to his seat emerge.

The Frenchman has been on the sidelines as reserve driver at Mercedes this season, having lost his seat at Racing Point to Lance Stroll at the end of 2018.

However, recently he suggested work was going on behind the scenes to secure a 2020 return "very, very soon".

Initial thoughts he could replace Valtteri Bottas appear to have faded given the Finn's form this year and now speculation is linking Ocon back to Renault, the same team he almost joined before Daniel Ricciardo made a deal for 2019.

"We have a two-year contract with Daniel," Abiteboul said at Paul Ricard, stating the Australian was certainly going nowhere.

"Nico's contract, the initial term is coming to an end at the end of this year but there is a mechanism of options so it's possible that we continue our journey with Nico."

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The Renault chief then offered a strong defence for maintaining Hulkenberg, who joined from Force India in 2017.

"Frankly, Nico has delivered for the team, clearly, and if you look at where we were when Fred [Vassuer] actually was leading that process for us," he said.

"Nico joined us and where we are today, it's crazy and the change to the team, to the buzz, and clearly the drivers are no stranger to that, it's not just engineers.

"So, I think we need to give credit to that but also we need to look at the options like everyone is doing, like I'm sure Nico is doing."