Ricciardo: Red Bull departure one of the most difficult decisions to take

  • Published on 03 Aug 2018 14:02
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Daniel Ricciardo has described the decision to leave Red Bull for Renault next season as one of the most difficult choices in his career. Renault confirmed on Friday that the Australian would be taking up a seat at the team alongside Nico Hulkenberg for 2019.

Ricciardo spent five and a half years at Red Bull, climbing to the top step of the podium seven times. However, the 29-year-old now wants a new challenge and admits that he has been impressed by the rate of development that Renault has achieved since it returned in 2016.

"It was probably one of the most difficult decisions to take in my career so far," he said. "But I thought that it was time for me to take on a fresh and new challenge. I realise that there is a lot ahead in order to allow Renault to reach their target of competing at the highest level but I have been impressed by their progression in only two years, and I know that each time Renault has been in the sport they eventually won. I hope to be able to help them in this journey and contribute on and off track."

Renault's managing director Cyril Abiteboul expressed his delight in signing Ricciardo's, and now aims to deliver him the best possible car for next season: "Daniel’s signing underscores our determination to accelerate our progress towards the forefront of the sport.

"It is also a recognition of the work accomplished over the past two and a half seasons. Daniel’s undoubted talent and charisma are a huge bonus and statement for the team. We will have to repay his faith in us by delivering the best car possible. We welcome him to our growing team in 2019 with a great deal of pride, but also humility.”

Jutlandia

Posts: 191

Some how i'm not sure this will end all glory and happy days.
And also something tells me Saintz is not all that unhappy with his most likely return to RB.
Artebouil is not a leader that is the worth the money.

  • 1
  • Aug 3 2018 - 18:34

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • Jutlandia

    Posts: 191

    Some how i'm not sure this will end all glory and happy days.
    And also something tells me Saintz is not all that unhappy with his most likely return to RB.
    Artebouil is not a leader that is the worth the money.

    • + 1
    • Aug 3 2018 - 18:34
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    Can't see Sainz getting the Redbull seat. Can see Renault improving but not to the Redbull level within the foreseeable future.

    • + 0
    • Aug 4 2018 - 00:04
    • Agreed. I still think RB will get the better of them next year.

      • + 0
      • Aug 4 2018 - 09:14
  • 130R

    Posts: 5

    That was a shock! In a way I am happy that Ric is taking a chance and mixing up the driver line ups for next year

    • + 0
    • Aug 4 2018 - 03:49

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,061
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar