Ricciardo doesn't give up hope: "Renault has a 'shoey' in it"

"It is", Ricciardo reacts when F1 Racing points out that his next choice will be very decisive in his ambition to become World Champion in Formula 1 one day. "I don’t have anything written down with Renault beyond this year, but I’m 100% committed to making this work."

Ricciardo eight podiums with Renault possible in the long run

With this Ricciardo says he is looking forward to the coming season, but also that he certainly doesn't rule out leaving the French factory team if a better opportunity arises. "I haven’t thought about scenarios yet of being somewhere else. I do feel like last year was a bit of an unknown. But I do feel this year there is much more in place to get this thing on the right track."

Ricciardo will receive competition from new teammate Esteban Ocon. We'll have to wait and see how that relationship develops in the coming months. "I don’t want to lay any rules down from day one, because I think already that will create a tension – like you’re anticipating something. I’m prepared for competition, but I’m not prepared for fun and games."

Is Ocon going to make a joust of it?

Ricciardo doesn't want Ocon to play (mental) games. "If down the track fun and games appear, then I’ll deal with it. I’m certainly coming in with open mind and positivity. I think it’s our best intention to try to get this team in a good place before they start losing energy focused on managing us," the former teammate of Max Verstappen wisely concludes.