“We Gave Ricciardo Everything” – Christian Horner

Red Bull team principal Horner recently spoke in an interview regarding the departure of Daniel Ricciardo. He believes that seven wins just wasn’t enough for him.

“It’s been a bit like trying to convince a girl to go out with you, but she’s being pretty reticent,” he said.

“We have bent over backwards to make it happen, but if someone’s heart isn’t really in it, then…

“We gave Daniel everything he wanted and asked for and it still wasn’t enough.

“We were even prepared to do a one-year agreement so he was available to Ferrari or Mercedes should they come knocking in 12 months’ time.

“It wasn’t about money or status, commitment or duration. I think he felt ‘I need to take something else on in this stage of my career’. It might be an inspired choice, it might be one that he regrets.”

Prior to the summer break, the F1 world was anxiously awaiting a decision on Ricciardo’s future. Then, barely a week into the summer break, the bombshell was dropped. The Australian would be leaving the Red Bull team at the end of the season.

Sensing an opportunity, the factory Renault team pounced and bagged him. So, for the 2019 season, Ricciardo will be partnering Nico Hulkenberg. However, this revelation leaves Carlos Sainz Jr on the lurch. The Spaniard will be hoping to take Ricciardo’s vacant seat at Red Bull. Other options include moving to McLaren alongside Fernando Alonso or as his successor.

Coming back to the subject of Ricciardo, many believed it was because of tension between himself and Max Verstappen. However, Red Bull have denied such ‘preposterous claims’. Also, when Ricciardo had announced his departure from Red Bull, Horner was completely blindsided. He confessed that he thought that the 29-year old was ‘joking’ at first.