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Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Third placed Daniel Ricciardo of Renault drinks out of a shoe as race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes pours champagne over his head on the podium after the race Pool via Reuters/Miguel Medina
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – Third placed Daniel Ricciardo of Renault drinks out of a shoe as race winner Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes pours champagne over his head on the podium after the race Pool via Reuters/Miguel Medina
Daniel Ricciardo finished his two-year stint with Renault this year as he moves to McLaren for 2021. The Australian claimed two podiums for the French team this season as the team finished in P5 with 181 points, 90 more than 2019.
Renault did not have the best start to the season, but turned their fate around mid-season. The team was the most improved constructor as the drivers claimed three podiums towards the second half of the season.
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Renault’s performance turnaround was clear through the season, and Daniel Ricciardo explained that his feedback to the team over two years was very beneficial.
“Obviously, I’m not claiming it all but some feedback I was giving and trying to help out and everyone was trying to move forward but yeah, I see it as a success from that point of view.”
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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2020 Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo during practice Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace
“I see a lot more confidence in the team as well, just in terms of personnel and there is that feeling now of ‘we can do it.
“It felt like I walked into a bit more of a timid environment last year early on and it’s not a criticism, it’s just the team wasn’t used to it,” he further added.
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Daniel Ricciardo claims Renault’s improvement was not a fluke
Renault have been struggling for a few seasons now, with no tangible success. Ricciardo explained that such a run could create some self-doubt. However, he lauded the team for their hard work, persistence, and pointed out that it was not a fluke.
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Formula One F1 – Eifel Grand Prix – Nurburgring, Nurburg, Germany – October 11, 2020 Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after finishing in third place in the race Pool via REUTERS/Matthias Schrader
“It’s not as though we fluked a couple of results. I really believe we were there and we persisted. There were so many fourth places and then we finally made it happen,” Ricciardo pointed out.
“But I think the turnaround as well, to see the step from last year to this year, shows that the work that was done last year, the building blocks, definitely came to fruition and we definitely got a lot of use out of that learning from 2019,” he added.
Daniel Ricciardo will drive alongside Lando Norris next season. The Honey Badger is a proven race winner, and McLaren will hope that he drives their car to regular podiums and help build on a successful 2020 season next year.
