Is the message from Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul to Nico Hulkenberg, if you believe F1’s chosen presenter Will Buxton.

Renault today launched their 2019 F1 challenger the RS19, the car that Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg will be driving this season. Renault says it has made a “substantial” step forward with its 2019 engine as it bids to close the gap to Formula 1’s top three teams.

“No figure – but it is substantial,” said Abiteboul, when asked by Autosport about the scale of the power step made.

“The furthest I will go is that it is the biggest we have ever done since the V6 [turbo-hybrid engine] introduction.”

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul wasn’t just talking the Autosport reporter during the launch. Barely an hour ago Will Buxton tweeted this message during the car launch of the new Renault, and many ‘Hulk’ fans are outraged on social media.

Abiteboul lays out in no uncertain terms the road ahead for Nico Hülkenberg. “It’s make or break.” Has to impose himself and perform against Ricciardo if continuation of relationship with Renault is to be successfully concluded once talks begin later in the year.

— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) February 12, 2019

For a lot of fans, Nico Hulkenberg is either the greatest driver never to have been given a good enough car, or simply overrated proven by the fact he’s never even achieved a podium finish.

Vote for the driver you’ll think will come out on top. Let us know in the comments below your opinion on Hulkenberg.

Nico Hulkenberg F1 stats

Daniel Ricciardo F1 stats

Stats credit: F1-fansite.com