Did Ricciardo mislead Red Bull about re-signing?

The shock Daniel Ricciardo switch to Renault could be set to turn ugly.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has claimed the Aussie driver said he would be pursuing a contract extension with the team, just days before announcing his shock move.

“It was a very strange situation anyhow,” Marko told Austrian TV station Servus.

“The negotiations were difficult but Wednesday before the Austrian Grand Prix we were talking for two hours and came to an agreement.”

Ricciardo announced his decision to leave the team shortly after the Austrian GP, linking up with Renault for the 2019 season.

The 29-year-old was with the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team since 2014, winning seven races during his time there.

When Ricciardo initially announced his decision, the team principal Christian Horner said: “We fully respect Daniel’s decision to leave Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and we wish him all the best in his future.”

So it comes as a bit of a surprise that Marko has since said otherwise.

“During the weekend, we were talking and renegotiating again,” Marko said.

“In Hungary, he told Mr. (Red Bull owner, Dietrich) Mateschitz and me that he was OK with everything and that he was going to sign during the test on Tuesday. But he didn’t.

RICCIARDO REPLACEMENT: Red Bull announce young gun to replace the Aussie

ALONSO RETIRES: The McLaren star has called time on his glorious F1 career

“On Thursday, he then called and told me he was going to Renault.

“I can only assume that maybe he doesn’t believe in the Honda project or that Renault offered him a lot of money.”

Despite the claims from Red Bull’s Marko, Ricciardo says it was an incredible pitch from Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul that fuelled the move.

According to a source close to Ricciardo, they have hit back at Marko’s version of events by telling ESPN a deal was put forward and an agreement was close, but no terms were ultimately agreed upon.

Ricciardo will front the media in an official press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix on Thursday – his first since the announcement – and it will allow him to share his version of events.