Daniel Ricciardo : Renault Are Out of Options Over His Contract

Renault advisor Alain Prost confessed that the team could lose Daniel Ricciardo at the end of 2020, should talks fail. Ricciardo is one of many drivers on the current grid who haven’t confirmed their seat for next season and beyond. Prost also admitted that Renault doesn’t have a solid replacement from their Junior academy if Ricciardo chooses to leave the French team.

Will Daniel Ricciardo stay with Renault?

When Daniel Ricciardo announced that he would drive for Renault in 2019, there were 2 possibilities. One, the Aussie had successfully completed a strategic masterstroke by signing with a team that was an unknown. Or and the more realistic scenario, he would be squabbling way down the order for positions that don’t mean much. Unfortunately, the second situation came true.

In Formula 1 it’s rare to see a driver jump from a top drive to a midfield entity and immediately achieve success. Sadly, Ricciardo took the wrong gamble back in 2018 but he has one more chance to make things right. At 30 years of age, time’s running out for the honey badger and his next move could very well decide how and where his F1 career ends.

Ricciardo’s made it clear on numerous occasions that his only goal is to win World Championships. Renault hasn’t made any real progress towards winning Championships, let alone winning races. As a result, Ricciardo has a difficult choice in keeping faith or looking elsewhere.

Alain Prost revealed that Renault had no real bargaining chips to keep Ricciardo at the team. Speaking to Canal Plus, Prost said:

“We don’t have the cards in our hands. We don’t have an option,” 

“Of course we have started to discuss, which is normal. Let’s imagine that everything is back to normal in 2021, then we can do the shopping we want until the end of the year,” 

“But in 2021, there will be the same rules as there are in 2020″

“And that means that once again it is not ideal for us.”

“With us, things are very open, and in any case, what is certain is that in a certain way Daniel wants to continue”

“He made – not a bet – but let’s say a plan to be successful with Renault”

“and for the moment we are talking in a very positive way”