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'Not better off': Daniel Ricciardo's brutal truth bomb for Red Bull

Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo has taken a subtle shot at his former team, Red Bull Racing, saying the team was “not better off” following his departure.

Ricciardo’s decision to switch from Red Bull to Renault last season stunned the F1 community.

Rumours of the Australian’s discontent with the Red Bull were rife as a series of mechanical issued plagued his final season with the team, while team principal Christian Horner’s desire to see Max Verstappen as the youngest ever F1 champion also a factor.

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Horner only furthered that speculation when, in an episode of Netflix docu-series Drive to Survive, he suggested Ricciardo was ‘running from a fight’ by switching teams.

But in the wake of Renault’s strong performance in the British GP, Ricciardo said his former team’s performance hadn’t been significantly better after his departure.

Daniel Ricciardo says he wouldn't have been better off had he remained with Red Bull Racing, instead of switching to Renault.
Daniel Ricciardo of Renault F1 Team in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Ricciardo pointed out that Red Bull has won less races this season compared to this time last year, and that Mercedes’ dominance had affected Red Bull in much the same was as it had other teams.

People often come to me (and say): ‘Look at Max, he’s on the podium and you don’t even get close to it,” Ricciardo told gpblog.com.

“But do you know what it is? I am not saying this to get at Red Bull, but they are doing exactly the same as the past five years.

“Last year Red Bull had won three races around this time, now they have just taken the first win [Verstappen’s victory in Austria].

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“So I would not have been better off if I had stayed with Red Bull. That is also my point: unless you drive for Mercedes, as a driver you can never be completely satisfied, because Mercedes dominates.

“I certainly do not regret my switch to Renault.”