Daniel Ricciardo will exit Red Bull – the team with which he began his Formula 1 career – at the end of the year after confirming a switch to Renault for the 2019 season.
The Australian described the decision to leave Red Bull as "one of the most difficult" in his career, but says he's ready for a "fresh and new challenge" as he embarks on a new era with Renault.
"It was probably one of the most difficult decisions to take in my career so far," said Ricciardo. "But I thought that it was time for me to take on a fresh and new challenge.
"I realise that there is a lot ahead in order to allow Renault to reach their target of competing at the highest level 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."
Renault took over the Lotus team at the end of the 2015 season and set out a plan to become world champions within five years. The team is currently in its third year of that plan and sits fourth in the standings behind engine customer Red Bull, which is set to switch to Honda power in 2019.
Ricciardo added: "I hope to be able to help them in this journey and contribute on and off track."
He will partner Nico Hulkenberg at the French manufacturer. It's uncertain as to where Carlos Sainz will end up given he will make way for Ricciardo's arrival, but it's believed he has an option to return to Toro Rosso if Red Bull promote Pierre Gasly, or Red Bull could slot Sainz in alongside Max Verstappen – although that would be unlikely – or the Spaniard could join McLaren to replace either Fernando Alonso if he chooses to switch to IndyCar or the underperforming Stoffel Vandoorne.
