Ricciardo: Honda switch could benefit Red Bull
- Published on 23 Jan 2019 10:41
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- By: Coilin Higgins
2019 Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo has spoken out about how the possible potential of the new partnership between former team Red Bull and power unit suppliers Honda was a clear factor in his decision to switch to the French team for this season, and that it could even see them as championship contenders this year.
Ricciardo won seven races during his five-season spell at Red Bull, but never managed to take on a serious assault at the championship. Renault have not been on the podium since their return to the sport as a constructor in 2016, but are making clear progress up the order every year since.
"Actually, part of the decision-making for me, I put myself in the mindset of 'What if Honda and Red Bull kill it next year, and what if (Max) Verstappen becomes world champion?" Ricciardo told RACER. "Even if the team kills it in 2019, I don't know if I would be convinced that I would be getting everything out of it."
Despite being aware of the possibilities of the newly formed partnership between the Austrian team and the Japanese manufacturer, Ricciardo still stands firm on his decision to move to Renault and said that he has absolutely no regrets on any past decisions or memories with Red Bull.
"I wouldn't say I have any regrets, not at all, actually. There's been some fustrating years for sure, and I don't ever feel like I've cheated myself. Some of my best weekends have been where I've been more chilled about it and less intense. But I think I've found that balance, so no regrets."
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Replies (13)
Login to replyRamshoek2
Posts: 1,579
"Even if the team kills it in 2019, I don't know if I would be convinced that I would be getting everything out of it." ... Huh ?!?!?
xoya
Posts: 583
I read it as "Max is number one in the team."
Smiler121
Posts: 53
Me too.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
I read it as that Max would be able to extract more from the car.
F1_IS_Dead
Posts: 123
He knows that he is too slow for Max. If Honda delivers, he will "only" be second at the end of the season. He prefers the option of a midfield team and a weak teammate. This guy clearly doesn't have a champion mentality. He "needs a change", right. A change of teammates.
Everyone who claims that he is not motivated at a team like Red Bull, should stay in the midfield forever and not even try to get a seat at Ferrari or Mercedes. Why should they take someone like that?
Kean
Posts: 692
Hulk is not what I would call a weak teammate. What he's saying is Max is their chosen no.1, regardless of what Ricciardo does.
jaybee
Posts: 16
Or, Danny decided, quite rationally, to take his chances at (possibly resurgent) Renault, especially if the RBR/Honda deal didn't immediately work out. A long shot, clearly, but Ricciardo could see that he was never going to be anything but a supporting player at RBR. That wasn't going to be a lot of fun.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
tbh he's better out of RBR, Max is pretty much the #1 there and any teammate is only going to be there to back him up like Bottas does for goldenboy and Kimi for Seb.
Smiler121
Posts: 53
I get the impression with Red Bull's approach & politics within the team that the owners & management would always favour Max now unless he REALLY screws thing up.
blade
Posts: 341
Given all these statements, for so long now, Danny has to kick his teammates ass from the off - it's the only way his decision will appear to be justified (other than to himself), otherwise it will look like he ran scared.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Im really not sure what to feel on this. On one hand, the Honda fan in me is smiling eerily underneath the Mugen-decorated cloak while saying "do it, join the hype". The cynical prick in me, the even more cynical prick compared to what I already am, is patting me on the back and say "sorry bro, this year'll be another year of waiting".
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Indeed we just don't know. However the amount of capital that has been poured into the F1 PU of Honda will bare its fruits. Can't wait for testing ...
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Ric vs Hulk, Stroll vs Perez, Vettel vs Leclerc comparisons are poised to be some really interesting intra team battles.