'This is mad!': F1 world reacts to Ricciardo's Renault move
The world of Formula One has been left shocked by Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault bombshell after the Aussie announced he was jumping ship from Red Bull next season.
Ricciardo’s future has been the subject of intense speculation, with the Aussie arguably the last big name to decide which team he would be driving for in 2019.
The 29-year-old has now confirmed he’s making the stunning move to Renault and the decision has rocked motor racing fans.
This is mad! A huge gamble from Ricciardo imo https://t.co/AAFRFKR54a
— Joe Krishnan (@joekrishnan) August 3, 2018
I don't understand why @danielricciardo would move to @RenaultSportF1, with all the power train issues he has had with that Renault engine in the back of the @redbullracing what makes him think this will be better? #askcrofty @SkySportsF1 @C4F1
— alan potter (@coltsfan2000) August 3, 2018
Not quite sure why Ricciardo would go to Renault. Feels like a major step back for him.
— Dan Cancian (@dan_cancian) August 3, 2018
Daniel ricciardo going to Renault is the most disappointing news I’ve heard all day.
— laylaa. (@laylaatrevor) August 3, 2018
Daniel Ricciardo to Renault. What a surprise move!! Come on Red Bull Racing. Put Fernando Alonso in that seat. Alonso vs Verstappen would set off the fireworks 😂 #F1
— Sudha (@Sudha_F1) August 3, 2018
It has been more than a decade since Renault last won the Formula One drivers’ title with Fernando Alonso in 2006, and the team who supply engines to Red Bull have not won a race since fully rejoining Formula One three years ago.
Ricciardo, 29, is fifth in the 2018 drivers’ standings and has won in China and Monaco this season, two of his seven Grand Prix victories.
“It was probably one of the most difficult decisions to take in my career so far,” Ricciardo told the Renault website. “But I thought that it was time for me to take on a fresh and new challenge.”
Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul said the signing of the gifted extrovert underlined their ambitions.
“Daniel’s signing underscores our determination to accelerate our progress towards the forefront of the sport,” he said.
“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.”
Team president Jerome Stoll added: “Renault decided to come back to Formula One to fight for world championships.”
Red Bull announced first that Ricciardo had decided to quit the team, before Renault swiftly confirmed his signing.
Currently, Renault’s best-placed driver is Nico Hulkenberg in seventh in the standings, while 23-year-old Spaniard Carlos Sainz is 11th.
Ricciardo’s switch to a team outside the big three of Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari represents a gamble.
While Renault are one place behind Red Bull in the constructors’ standings, they only have 82 points while third-placed Red Bull sit on 223.
“I realise that there is a lot ahead in order to allow Renault to reach their target of competing at the highest level,” he added.
“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.”
– Dominos tumbling –
While the leading team, Mercedes, announced before the German Grand Prix on July 22 that they had locked their two drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, to contract extensions, Ricciardo’s switch could start dominos tumbling elsewhere in the paddock.
The promising Sainz, who like Ricciardo is a product of Red Bull’s driver development programme, is one driver already looking for a seat.
Red Bull meanwhile need to find a replacement for Ricciardo.
“We will now continue to evaluate the numerous options available to us before deciding on which driver partners Max Verstappen for the 2019 season,” team principal Christian Horner told the Red Bull website.
With AFP