Nico Hulkenberg says he could “tell there was something going on” behind the scenes at Renault after noticing a “change of dynamic” within the Formula 1 team during th♊e summer break.

Renault announced on Thꦐursday that it has signed Esteban Ocon to partner Daniel Ricciardo for 2020, leaving Hulkenberg without a drive next season after♈ spending three years at Enstone.

Hulkenberg, who is understood to b🦄e in contention for a seat at Haas, insists he has “no hard feelings” over Renault’s decision and does not think the situation could have been handled better.

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

“So, I coul🎉d tell that there was something going on and that there might be a change ahead but it was early this week that I found out.

“To be honest I think that was all good. The team and the management was alway🐻s transparent, fair and open.

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

Hulkenberg rejected the notion that the final decision was influenced by any excessive contract demands or expectation𒈔s from his side.

“I think we were more or less in agreement,” he explained. “Different drivers at different stages o꧃f their careers, there are different commercial things, and there is the nationality 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 edꦗge a bit.

“But I feel OK to be honest. Of course I was disappointed when I got the news but I had some time to digest it and like I said, it was a fair and goo𝄹d progre💎ss.

“I see the team’s point and I accept that decision, if I agree with it that’s a diff🐷erent matteꦯr. But that’s just racing and life.

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

“Nine races to 🎀go with Renault and I want to score as muc💙h 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 things are connected aren’t they?

“I’ve been here three ❀years now, ‘17 was good progress, ‘18 wa𝄹s still good and this year we’ve had a very tough year.

“Of course with the difficult year we are having, there is probab꧋ly some wish for change, or something has to give, and obviously it contributes to that and probably leads to this decision.

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