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FEATURE: DANIEL RICCIARDO – MELLO YELLOW

Daniel Ricciardo’s decision to join Renault in 2019 was a spirited one - Photo: LAT

By Bruce Williams

Daniel Ricciardo’s decision to join Renault in 2019 was a spirited one - Photo: LAT

Daniel Ricciardo’s decision to join Renault in 2019 was a spirited one – Photo: LAT

Daniel Ricciardo’s decision to join Renault in 2019 was a spirited one, with the ever-improving French manufacturer trying to break out of the midfield. Auto Action investigates the decisions the Aussie had to weigh up, and the reasoning he went through.

By DAN KNUTSON

Ricciardo cites a number of factors that were behind placing him in yellow and black for next season.

Ricciardo cites a number of factors that were behind placing him in yellow and black for next season.

IS DANIEL Ricciardo feeling any Renault remorse? A number of weeks have passed since the Aussie made the surprise revelation that he will leave his long-time home at Red Bull and move to Renault next year. Does he have any post-signing blues?

“No, I don’t,” he replies. “I’m aware that at the moment the structure at Red Bull is stronger. I felt good when I signed it. I feel I know what I’m getting into. I’ve certainly switched my mindset to a longer-term project … to yellow.”

That’s the yellow of the Renault Sport F1 Team. Maybe he will look bad in yellow.

“Not if I’m fast – you never look bad if you’re fast!” Ricciardo shoots back.

Honda’s unsuccessful showing to date in its Formula 1 comeback was not behind the move, but rather a new challenge.

Honda’s unsuccessful showing to date in its Formula 1 comeback was not behind the move, but rather a new challenge.

RISK AND UNKNOWNS

WHY DID Ricciardo decide to risk switching to Renault? Was the unknown potential of the Honda power unit Red Bull will use next year a factor?

“There are a lot of unknowns with everything,” Ricciardo says. “Even with the move where I am going to be next year, there is still a certain amount of risk or unknowns. Nothing was really that clear-cut.

“Sure, Honda still really need to prove themselves at the front. But, honestly, there wasn’t really one key factor other than really myself and wanting to have a change of scenery. That was probably the biggest, overpowering thing. It wasn’t necessarily the engine deal or this or that, or the financials or whatever. It just felt like now is the time to take on something new. So that’s pretty much how my decision came.”

Was Ricciardo concerned that Red Bull was focusing on his Max Verstappen?

“No is the short answer,” he says. “Externally around the media and maybe some fans’ perspective as well, that might be seen as the case, but as far as equality went within the team, honestly, hand on heart, there was never any concern with that or any sign of that.”

NO JOKE

RICCIARDO’S DECISION came as a shock to just about everyone, including Red Bull. Initial Red Bull renewal contract talks began back in February. Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz got involved in negotiations in May. By the end of June things were pretty much settled on a two-year deal. Team Principal Christian Horner explained to Sky TV how it unfolded from there.

“There was an agreement in principle and it was about sorting out the paperwork,” Horner said.

But then at the Hungarian Grand Prix Ricciardo decided he wanted just a one-year contract.

“Dietrich agreed to that,” Horner continued, “so by Monday afternoon (after the race) he (Ricciardo) got the piece of paper that he wanted sitting in front of him; (then he) drove the car on Tuesday (in the test). Then on the flight to America on holiday he decided that actually, despite everything he asked for, he still wanted to do something else. I thought he was winding me up to begin with. I thought it was a joke for the summer holiday.”

Ricciardo sums up the timing: “Renault was part of my considerations for some time; they didn’t come out of nowhere at the last hour. I was really torn, obviously, with what to do, and that process took time. On the race weekend in Budapest I still wasn’t sure what I was going to be doing. Did the test on Tuesday and took some time to think about it over the next 48 hours, and then came to my decision. It wasn’t easy, and there were a lot of factors that I had to try to weigh up.”

Ricciardo and Verstappen have had their challenges as a team, but the Aussie has credits that to external noise.

Ricciardo and Verstappen have had their challenges as a team, but the Aussie has credits that to external noise.

A CHANGE OF SCENERY

VERSTAPPEN AND Ricciardo have been teammates since the teenager switched from Toro Rosso to Red Bull midway through the 2016 season and promptly won the Spanish Grand Prix in his debut with the senior team. Has Verstappen noticed Ricciardo being frustrated recently?

“I don’t think so,” he says. “Everybody has moments in their careers when you’re frustrated or you’re not happy with the current situation. Everybody wants to win races or win championships, but sometimes it’s not like that. You have to really be patient and work hard for it.

“You need the whole package to come together. That’s what Red Bull is working on at the moment. I’m confident they can deliver a car that is capable of winning every race. So that’s why it was also a little bit of a surprise for me that he left. If it then is for a change of scenery, I’m not sure if it’s the best scenery to go to…”

Hulkenberg has had a great year so far and is ready for the challenge when Ricciardo joins the team.

Hulkenberg has had a great year so far and is ready for the challenge when Ricciardo joins the team.

THE NEW TEAMMATE

RENAULT INFORMED Nico Hülkenberg about his incoming 2019 teammate the night before the news was announced on August 3.

“It was all very positive in my eyes,” Hülkenberg says of Ricciardo’s impending arrival.

“Obviously I was a little bit surprised by the news. I don’t think there was a long lead-up time to it. It all happened quite spontaneously from what I’ve heard. For me, good news. I was happy with Carlos (Sainz as a teammate), but I’m happy with any teammate. Obviously bringing in a driver like Daniel just shows that Renault is serious, but it also puts a bit of pressure on them to deliver a good car by bringing a multi-grand prix winner.”

Does he think he will have to step up his game with Ricciardo as his new teammate?

“I think I’ll just have to do my homework,” he responds. “I’m not worried about Daniel’s speed. I think I can compete with anyone. If I’m on good form, if I’m doing my homework, then I don’t think I have to hide from anyone. I’m looking forward to the challenge. Of course he’s a strong driver with a very good reputation, but it’s a win in every aspect.”

Hülkenberg is highly rated, but as of the recent Italian Grand Prix, his 149th Formula 1 start, the 31-year-old German had yet to finish on the podium. By contrast, Ricciardo, 29, had had 143 starts, seven wins and 22 additional trips to the podium. So Hülkenberg will have a winning benchmark.

“If I look good against him, it makes me look better for sure,” he says. “But if not, then not. That’s to be seen. But I don’t think about these things right now. That’s all for next year.”

“Definitely he will be an asset to the team,” Hülkenberg adds. “First of all, every team needs and wants two strong drivers to deliver the results, but also he has a lot of experience, a lot of valuable experience from a team like Red Bull, which could be useful and helpful here. He will definitely be an asset and a win for Renault.”

Ricciardo obviously sees a lot of potential in Renault. Does Hülkenberg also see that?

“Yes, that’s why I also came here,” he says. “Obviously we are now halfway through that process of trying to achieve the goal of coming to the front. There’s still a lot of work to do; there’s still a long road ahead of us. But we have improved, we have made progress. The team is definitely very serious, very professional in their approach in achieving their aims.”

Double world champion Alonso declined an offer to rejoin the team, stating there were better challenges outside F1.

Double world champion Alonso declined an offer to rejoin the team, stating there were better challenges outside F1.

CHAMPIONS’ OPINIONS

FERNANDO ALONSO drove for Benetton/Renault from 2003 through 2006, then in 2008 and 2009. Seventeen of his 32 victories came with the team, as well as his world championships in 2005 and 2006. But he does not foresee Renault winning again soon, and he declined an offer to return to the team next year.

“I had the possibility of joining Renault and going back to my two-championship team and having my last years with my second family there,” he told Sky TV.

“But it was difficult to get the challenge there, fighting for the top six or top ten, compared to the challenges l can get outside of F1.”

Lewis Hamilton, who left the winning McLaren team to join the yet to be successful Mercedes team in 2013, completely understands what Ricciardo has done.

“I was there once, so I know what it’s like to be in that position,” Hamilton says. “I can’t tell you why he made his decision because I don’t know what information he has and what reasons are behind his decision. I obviously know what mine were, and there will probably be similarities.

“I am really happy for him. It’s always great to make a decision that’s out of the norm, knowing that people are going to have opinions about it and that it’s still halfway through the season not knowing which way the next year is going to go. It’s an exciting period for him. A lot of people are scared of change and therefore get stuck in a space that is not their happiest space, but they get by. It’s cool to see Daniel, similar to me, wanting to elevate yourself and try something new – good or bad.”

RED BULL RIGHT NOW

WHAT IS the atmosphere like within Red Bull right now, with all the team members knowing Ricciardo will be leaving?

“I’m happy to say there was really minimal, minimal awkwardness,” Ricciardo relates. “People seemed respectful and understood it.”

After the news had been announced, Ricciardo visited the Red Bull factory and talked to the bosses and staff.

“The mechanics and everyone all understood it,” he recalls. “I think the main thing for them was it wasn’t personal, it wasn’t because one of the mechanics pissed me off and I was just like, ‘Right, I’m leaving!’ A lot of people in Formula 1, whether it’s drivers, mechanics, engineers, have moved a lot and switched teams, so a lot of them could relate. It was really as smooth as I could ask for. It was quite nice to have that level of respect and maturity. Everyone is cool. Everyone respects the decision, and more than anything everyone is ready to kick on and finish the year strong.”

The team, of course, will no longer keep Ricciardo in the loop on anything to do with the design of the 2019 car. He will also be phased out of work on the driving simulator. Ricciardo is not fazed.

“The real track will always be different to the simulator,” he says, “but for feedback to the engineers, the simulator helped me a lot, especially in the early days. But now I wouldn’t credit a win to a simulator day. If I don’t go on the simulator before Japan I’m not going to say I didn’t do well because I missed a sim day.

“I understand the team’s decision, so I’m not disappointed. I understand if they are doing development for 2019. That really isn’t my business, but anything still with 2018 is my business. They said anything still with this year I’m included in.”

Abiteboul, centre, feels it is an important moment for the team after this year’s coming of age.

Abiteboul, centre, feels it is an important moment for the team after this year’s coming of age.

A BOOST FOR RENAULT

“IT IS a boost,” Cyril Abiteboul, the managing director of the Renault Sport F1 Team, says of signing Ricciardo. “But at the same time, it is coming at a moment when the team is at a very difficult moment on track. So it is important to take a bit of distance from the on-track action and short-term pressure and stay focused on the mid-term target, on the progression we have made so far, and the progression to be made.

“Everyone is really boosted by this announcement. We really now have an obligation to deliver the right car to this guy that we all want to see smiling.”
When will Renault get the first download from Ricciardo about all the things he learned at Red Bull?

“When his contract expires,” Abiteboul says. “But I think he will be very loyal to Red Bull, and I don’t think we will even try to squeeze him for information that belongs to Christian Horner and Red Bull. We will be keen on getting him to the simulator as early as possible, which is right after (the last race in) Abu Dhabi.”

JUDGEMENT DAY

SO HAS Ricciardo made the right choice to move to Renault?

Verstappen sums it up.

“Time will tell,” he says.

Article originally published in Issue 1745 of Auto Action.

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