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Possibility of support role to Verstappen key in Ricciardo decision

15:15, 09 Aug 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

Daniel Ricciardo's decision to make the jump to Renault surprised many, including current team boss Christian Horner. His current team principal believes that the threat of Max Verstappen in the future and having to play a support role to the young Dutchman drove his decision to move to Renault.

Speaking to Tom Clarkson on the F1: Beyond the Grid podcast, Horner admitted he could understand why Ricciardo wanted to make the move and gave several reasons why the Australian wanted a change of scenery.

Interestingly, the threat of his younger teammate in Verstappen was one reason Horner admitted could have been instrumental in pushing Ricciardo to make the move to the French team.

“I think it comes back to wanting to take on, in his words, a new challenge but I also feel he sees Max growing and growing in terms of speed and strength and he doesn’t want to play a support role I guess, for want of a better word, not that they are treated in any way differently.

“They would have equal status, as they have always had. I could understand if it was to Ferrari or Mercedes, but it’s an enormous risk at this stage of his career.”

Red Bull's line-up has been viewed as one of the most competitive in recent history, with the rivalry between both drivers beginning to bubble up since Verstappen was handed a new contract last season on significantly more money than Ricciardo was reportedly making.

Horner admitted that he thought Ricciardo was joking with him when he was informed of his decision, a summer joke as a parting gift but the seven-time grand prix winner wanted out.

“I thought he was winding me up to be honest with you. He rang me to say I’m going to Renault. I said: ‘You what? Is this a wind-up for the summer holidays?’

“But it then became very clear that was his choice and you have to respect that. Renault are a growing team, they’re committing resource there."

Who will be partnering Verstappen at Red Bull next season is still very much up in the air, with Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly the two favourites for the seat.