Daniel Ricciardo has been shown publicly in Renault colours for the first time since he was announced as one of its 2019 drivers. The Australian took the decision to leave Red Bull in August of last year to join the resurging Renault squad.
The 29-year-old will partner Nico Hulkenberg at the Enstone outfit, with 2019 marking his third year at the team. Ricciardo previously acknowledged that he does not expect to be fighting for podiums this season with Renault, as it builds back towards the front of the field.
Ricciardo endured a tough 2018 campaign with Red Bull, despite picking up two victories. However, on-track mishaps and reliability issues meant that his two victories marked his only two podiums of the year - while teammate Max Verstappen bagged 11.
Verstappen signed a new deal before Ricciardo, as Red Bull prepared for its new partnership with Honda. And now after leaving the programme he has been a part of since 2008, Ricciardo has been pictured in his new colours.
Fired up, and ready to go! Meet your @RenaultF1Team 2019 driver line-up!
— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) ___Escaped_link_66dcec743fbab___
?: @GregWInsight #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/6gh5PPxThi
Renault will launch its new car on Tuesday, February 12th at its factory in Enstone. Ricciardo will make his first appearance in the car for Renault at the pre-season tests in Barcelona later this month.Hey pic.twitter.com/7MfSAk6uMP
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) February 4, 2019
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (4)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Someone it doesn't suit him very well. Red would be much more striking, don't you think?
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I actually thought he looked great. I did feel that in never suited Carlos Sainz right. But I get what you're saying. Red Bull are master marketers. Everything looks right.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
It's OK, the yellow looks a bit dull. I thought that Ricciardo would adopt an more corporate image when moving Renault. It's nice to see his smile is still there mind you he has 35M reasons for that smile. Good luck to him.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Indeed, even a 6% YoY return on his post tax 70mil ( when invested ) would make this Renault stint, the most successful of his career irrespective of points.