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Red Bull hoping for clean end to 2018 for Ricciardo

15:05, 31 Oct 2018

byJake Williams-Smith

Red Bull is hoping that Daniel Ricciardo will be able to finish off his Red Bull career on a high note after a disastrous 2018 season plagued by mechanical issues and retirements. Ricciardo was heading for a podium finish in Mexico until a late-race issue on his Red Bull left him on the sidelines once more.

His retirement from the Mexican Grand Prix left him saying his RB14 was 'cursed' and that he would leave it for his replacement at the team Pierre Gasly to drive.

Speaking to Autosport, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he felt bad for Ricciardo and the team after yet another retirement due to mechanical failure.

"He's just had an immensely frustrating afternoon," said Horner.

"I'm sure you can understand his emotions are running incredibly high. It's gutting not just for him, but for the whole team.

"We were looking at potentially a one-two finish, which has enormous value to us.

"It feels a bittersweet victory, fantastic for Max to have driven an outstanding race, but I'm pretty confident Daniel would have been able to hold off Sebastian over those remaining laps.

"You can understand his frustration and I hope that this dark cloud that's following him around lifts for the final two races."

The Australian will leave Red Bull for Renault next season where he will be hoping for a much more reliable Renault power unit and a chance at a world drivers championship challenge.