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'Persona non grata': Brutal fallout from Daniel Ricciardo move

Renault's Daniel Ricciardo (pictured left) talking to Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton (pictured right).
Commentator Martin Brundle has predicted intra-politics to play a big role in the 2020 F1 season after Daniel Ricciardo's (pictured left) move from McLaren to Renault. (Getty Images)

Top F1 commentator has predicted Aussie Daniel Ricciardo will be in for a tough time in 2020 when the sport resumes following his topical switch to McLaren in 2021.

The Formula One season was thrown a curveball when moves were announced during the season due to the the coronavirus pandemic pushing the season further back into 2020.

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Aussie Ricciardo shocked Renault when he announced he would drive for McLaren in 2021.

Vettel also shocked fans when he announced a move from Ferrari and will be replaced by McLaren's Carlos Sainz.

And top Formula One commentator Martin Brundle has predicted Ricciardo could face a tough time when he returns to his current team after announcing the move.

He said instra-team politics will play a huge role in the season because these controversial moves are normally announced two-thirds of the way through a season.

"Daniel Ricciado, Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz have got to walk into their garages and start a season when it's already absolutely known that they are leaving," he said on Sky Sports.

"With all the sensitive data and systems you are quickly persona non grata in these situations.

"Especially for Daniel. He is going to a team with generally a very similar performance level. They're just going to be increasingly keeping some things away from him.

"They'll also be bruised that he thinks McLaren is a better opportunity than Renault."

Ricciardo backs F1 shake-up

An altered calendar will see F1 host eight races across Europe in 10 weeks, with back-to-back races to be held in Austria and Great Britain.

One additional race would be added to that stretch, with Ferrari-owned circuit Mugello mooted as an additional grand prix following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Renault driver Ricciardo, who will depart the French team for McLaren next season, said he loved the idea of racing at Mugello.

“That was a circuit I raced back in 2007 for the first time, and it was my favourite circuit that season,” Ricciardo told motorsport.com.

“I loved just the flowing, high-speed corners and I think in F1, it would be amazing.

“We had a test there, I think it was back in 2012, in F1.

“The cars now, these 2020 cars around there, would be insane. So yeah, I’m certainly excited if that one takes place.”