Breaking news
Formula 1
"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.
Valentin Khorounzhiy
Edited: Aug 4, 2018, 11:25 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
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.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Key Force India upgrades depend on new owner
Next article Sainz 'high on the list' for 2019 McLaren seat
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Valentin Khorounzhiy
WTCR's April opener cancelled due to coronavirus
WTCR
WTCR
Hungaroring
WTCR's April opener cancelled due to coronavirus
Australian GP issues update on nine F1 paddock coronavirus tests
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Australian GP issues update on nine F1 paddock coronavirus tests
Motorsport Games unveils 15 disciplines for 2020
General
General
Motorsport Games unveils 15 disciplines for 2020
More from
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
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
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
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
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
More from
Red Bull Racing
Laurent Mekies extends contract as Red Bull's F1 team boss
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
8 h
Laurent Mekies extends contract as Red Bull's F1 team boss
Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull F1 exit: “Perhaps it was perceived I had too much influence over the team”
Formula 1
Formula 1 11 h
Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull F1 exit: “Perhaps it was perceived I had too much influence over the team”
Latest news
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
2 h
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 3 h
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
4 h
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 6 h
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
Feature
Discover prime content
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe