Daniel Ricciardo has stressed that he has no regrets over leaving Red Bull for Renault, in the wake of Max Verstappen’s victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo raced for Red Bull between 2014 and 2018 but opted to embark on a new challenge with Renault for 2019.
Verstappen gave the Red Bull-Honda partnership its first win in Austria while Ricciardo toiled to 12th place, with Renault occupying only fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.
"Honestly, no regrets," said Ricciardo in Thursday's British Grand Prix press conference.
"Actually, part of me was pretty happy for them and for F1 to have a good race. It went through a lot of scrutiny after France, so for the sport to have a good race was awesome.
"But no, honestly if I look back? By that time last year, Red Bull had three wins, and that (Austria) was the first, Obviously, I'm further back at the moment, you're absolutely right.
"But I expected this and if I decided to stay at Red Bull, it was to try and win a title.
"Sure they got the win last time out, but they are still a fair way from the title. That's not having a dig, that's just the reality.
"I don't think I would have necessarily achieved anything else that I was already achieving there, so for that, no regrets.
Renault has had an up-and-down performance through 2019 but Ricciardo underlined that he has full faith in the long-term viability of the manufacturer’s project.
"I'm obviously trying to build something with Renault and there is still a lot of work to do,” he said.
"But equally, it's pretty fulfilling and when you do get a little bit of a result.
"Montreal was one of those moments where it made the first seven or so races worth it, the little bit of struggle and the ups and downs."
Discussion about this post