Nico Hulkenberg says he could “tell there was something going on” behind the scenes at Renault after noticing a “change of d✱ynamic” within the Formula 1 team durin♛g the summer break.

Renault announced on Thursday th🤪at it has signed Esteban Ocon to partner Daniel Ricciardo for 202๊0, leaving Hulkenberg without a drive next season after spending three years at Enstone.

Hulkenberg, who is understood to be in contention for a seat at Haas, insists he has “no hard feelings” over Renault’s decision and does not thi🤪nk the situationও could have been handled better.

“I had hints a couple of weeks through the summer break anyway,” Hulkenberg said. “It was actually a bit different, there was a change of dynamic the𒐪 week after Hungary.

“So, I could tell that there was somethingꦯ going on and that there might be a change ahead but it was early this week tha🎃t I found out.

“To be honest I think that was all good. The team and the management was always transparent, f🅰aﷺir and open.

“We have a good relationship. I don’t think it was necessary for us to have games - there were no games𒐪, it was always﷽ a straightforward communication, so there are no hard feelings on that side.”

Hulkenberg rejected the notion that the final decision was influenced by any excessive contract demands or expectations from hi🐈s side.

“I think we were more or less in agreement,” he explained. “Different drivers at different stages of their careers, there are different commercial things, and there is the nationa🥂lity factor in here, and some over factors like the state of their career.

“So I think it’s about a bunch of 🦄things. Then again, just the difficult season🍬 we are facing probably tips it over the edge a bit.

“But I feel OK to be honesꦍt. Of course I was disappointed when I ꦅgot the news but I had some time to digest it and like I said, it was a fair and good progress.

“I see the team’s point an🌳d I accept that decision, if I agree with it that’s a different matter. But that’s juౠst racing and life.

“I can understand the situation and therefore it’s not too hard to deal with it. I feel comfortab🦩le in my skin and I know that there is appetite from other teams,𝓀 so I feel OK.

“Nine races to go with Renault and I want to score as much as I can and leave ꦺthe team with a strong finish to the season.”

Asked if his outspoken nature about Renault's lack of progress had been a factor, Hulkenberg replied: “I think thing🍃s are connected are⭕n’t they?

“I’ve been her♐e three years now, ‘17 was good progress, ‘18 was still good and this year we’ve had a very tough year.

“Of course with the difficult year we are having, there is probably some wish for change, or something has to gi🐷ve, a🧸nd obviously it contributes to that and probably leads to this decision.

“It’s a pity we can’t continue, particularly as this year we wanꦚted to🍸 make a step forward but couldn’t really get it yet. That’s that. The situation is what it is.”