Red Bull blocks Ricciardo from testing with Renault

Daniel Ricciardo will not be allowed to test with Renault at the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre test. Ricciardo will join Renault next year alongside Nico Hulkenberg, ending his long-standing partnership with the energy drink squad.

The post-season test is an ideal opportunity for young drivers and drivers switching teams to drive at their new camp. However, his Red Bull contract runs past the dates set for running at Abu Dhabi, forcing Red Bull to deny him the chance of getting his first outing with the French manufacturer.

And the Australian won't be able to test with Red Bull either, despite being under contract: "I'm not allowed to test," he said in Austin. "I can't drive for Red Bull and they won't let me drive for Renault. So it is okay. I can have a holiday."

Team boss Christian Horner said: "He's under contract past that date, so he won't be doing the test. There was a question, 'Is he available?' It's very clear that he's not, so it's very simple. They just asked what his availability was, and he's not available. He's still got obligations to tidy up until the end of his contract."

Kimi Raikkonen will be joining Sauber for the 2019 season after spending five years in his second stint with Ferrari. The Swiss squad is hoping that Ferrari will allow Raikkonen to test with them in Abu Dhabi, while his 2019 teammate Antonio Giovinazzi will drive for Pirelli in a test that follows the Mexican Grand Prix.

"We will have to discuss the point," team principal Fred Vasseur said. "For every single team, it makes sense to have the feedback from the next driver. We will discuss, we are not in a rush. We can discuss in Abu Dhabi."