Daniel Ricciardo to Leave Red Bull in Stunning Deal

The report has emerged just at the start of the summer break where Ricciardo would be deciding his fate. Initially, it was thought that he would sign an extension with Red Bull. But now, it seems that that is not the case.

Sources claim that Ricciardo ‘felt unloved by Red Bull’. Especially after Max Verstappen was made their de facto No 1 by rewarding him with a massively improved deal last season.

The Australian did not get the ‘assurances he craved’ from Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz.

Red Bull released a statement confirming that the 28-year-old Aussie star would be leaving the team. However, they did not confirm any move to another team, especially not with rival team Renault.

The Red Bull team have won three races this season so far. For Ricciardo to switch to a team who are around a second-a-lap slower, would certainly be surprising. But in a way, it makes sense as the two outfits are at loggerheads over the engines.

The statement read, “Having joined the Red Bull family in 2008 as a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, with whom he won numerous junior titles, Daniel made his F1 debut in 2011 at the British Grand Prix. After two seasons with Scuderia Toro Rosso, Daniel joined us in 2014 and to date has brought the team seven victories, 29 podium finishes, two pole positions and 904 championship points.”

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner said: “We fully respect Daniel’s decision to leave Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and we wish him all the best in his future. We would like to thank him for his dedication and the role he has played since joining the Team in 2014, the highlights of course being the seven wins and the 29 podiums he has achieved so far with us.

“We will now continue to evaluate the numerous options available to us before deciding on which driver partners Max Verstappen for the 2019 season. In the meantime, there are still nine races left in 2018 and we are fully focused on maximising every opportunity for Max and Daniel for the remainder of the season.”