Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul opened up on the team’s contract talks with Daniel Ricciardo. Abiteboul believes the team has more to offer Ricciardo after a dismal debut partnership. However, the Frenchman thinks there’s a “shared appetite” between the Enstone outfit and the honey badger.

Daniel Ricciardo: Stick or Switch?

When Daniel Ricciardo announced that he would be leaving Red Bull for Renault, he caught everyone by surprise. Many believed the move would effectively end his hopes of a competitive career in Formula 1. However, Ricciardo had a perfectly clear explanation for joining Renault at the time.

The Aussie revealed Renault’s growth since its return to the sport and it looked like the honey badger’s gamble might just pay off. Sadly, that never came to pass. Daniel’s ambitions for 2019 was to fight for podiums and eventually challenge the top 3 for victories and World Championships. Unfortunately, Renault failed to improve on its impressive form in 2018.

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The team is firmly struck in F1’s midfield pit and isn’t showing any real signs of phenomenal growth. With Ricciardo growing older and more impatient, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Aussie bid the French team goodbye in 2020.

Daniel is one of many high-profile drivers without a contract at the end of 2020. If an opportunity comes knocking, Ricciardo’s sure to grab it. However, Abiteboul feels it’s too soon write off the Renault-Ricciardo paring after only a single bad season. Moreover, the Frenchman thinks Renault isn’t at a complete disadvantage in its contract negotiations.

Abiteboul remains optimistic

Speaking to F1.com, Abiteboul said:
“It’s an unusual season to a certain degree. It’s postponed a number of things, but having said that we have to keep planning for the future, so that is part of the things which are taking place with Daniel and others. We’re not desperate to have a resolution about that but for sure we’re planning.”

“[We] do feel it is a journey that has much more to offer than what it offered last year. We all know last year was a bit of mixed feelings, mixed results, to many degrees.

“We feel we can do better, which is why certainly there is a shared feeling we should do more. Whether that leads to an extension of the contract, time will tell. There is certainly a shared appetite if my understanding is correct.”