Just before the Belgian GP it was announced by Renault that Hülkenberg would be replaced by Mercedes reserve driver and former Force India driver Esteban Ocon for the 2020 season. Hülkenberg said the decision was "not only about performance", alluding that the French Renault team desired a French driver, such as Ocon. Four-time World Champion Alain Prost, non-executive director for Renault Sport, said that Renault offered Hülkenberg a new one-year contract, but the German refused the offer.