"Sad" Ricciardo says time was right to leave Red Bull
Renault-bound Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo says he is “sad” to be ending his long-standing relationship with Red Bull, but insists the timing was right to make a change.
Ricciardo has been on Red Bull's books since 2008, winning titles in Formula Renault 2.0 and British F3 before the energy drinks giant brought him into grand prix racing in 2011.
A part-season with HRT paved way for a full-time F1 graduation with Toro Rosso, and he was then brought in to Red Bull's main team to replace Mark Webber, winning seven races for the squad since.
But while he was widely expected to remain with Red Bull past this season, Ricciardo instead shocked F1 by opting to join Renault at the end of his current deal.
“The news is out, it's real,” Ricciardo said in a video message posted on social media.
“By far the toughest decision I've made in my racing career - but 29 years living on this Earth, it was actually one of the toughest live decisions I've made.
“Sad to move on, absolutely. Excited for the challenge at Renault, but it's been a 10-year journey in Red Bull.
“I was on the junior programe in 2008, some amazing memories from there, things that I'll always be grateful for and I'll never forget that ride.
“Personally I felt it was a time now where it was good for me to move on and have a fresh start somewhere else, I think it will be healthy for me.”
Ricciardo won the Chinese and Monaco Grands Prix this year and sits fifth in the drivers' standings, 95 points behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton.
The Australian will contest another nine races with Red Bull before switching to Renault in the off-season.
“Excited for what lies ahead with Renault,” Ricciardo continued, “but [I] just want to thank Red Bull Racing, Red Bull the company, for everything they've done for me.
“I really appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart, and we've got nine races left to kick some arse, so let's get it.”
Share Or Save This Story
WTCR's April opener cancelled due to coronavirus
Australian GP issues update on nine F1 paddock coronavirus tests
Motorsport Games unveils 15 disciplines for 2020
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
“Unfinished business” for Max Verstappen – Has Red Bull finally fixed its Singapore weakness?
Red Bull is overcoming ADUO restrictions but still calls on tweaks for F1 2027
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
“Am I confident? Probably not” – The unprecedented challenge Singapore is throwing at F1 drivers
“Unfinished business” for Max Verstappen – Has Red Bull finally fixed its Singapore weakness?
Team Penske and Chevrolet announce multi-year extension of IndyCar partnership
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
No denying it now – the one reason why F1’s ‘horrible’ start in Malaysia could be a good thing
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Three kings: F1's generational stars shone at Sepang
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments