Nothing Overnight Caused This Decision – Ricciardo

Outgoing Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo said that he sought to leave after feeling “numb”. This was due to the team’s racing routine for many years. Ricciardo confirmed that he will race for Renault in 2019. This brings to a close, a decade in the Red Bull stable for the Australian.

Many suspected that Ricciardo’s decision to leave Red Bull was fuelled by concerns over his standing in the team. Especially when compared to teammate Max Verstappen. However, Ricciardo said that he had no fears over the “equality” in the team.

When it was suggested that Ricciardo felt “unloved” at Red Bull, he denied such a claim. He insisted that the decision had not been impacted by anyone in the team, except himself.

He said: “I never said I was unloved, that wasn’t the case, and there was not one real highlight other than probably the routine.

“We don’t have a 9-5 job and go to the same office every day but many years of going to the same factory or whatever, that routine I felt like at times my enjoyment for the sport was becoming dulled down a bit, numb at times.

“I felt part of the routine was causing that, I’m discovering myself and life and it’s changing, how I thought 12 months ago is not how I feel now.

“It was something I felt was maybe not getting the better of me but having an effect but there was no, to be clear, there was no falling out, no bad blood with anyone in the team – with the bosses or anyone at all.

“I know the contract stuff, people assumed I was pretty much done with Red Bull. But I’m pretty sure I said I was close to something but never said 100 per cent it was with Red Bull.

“There was nothing overnight which caused this decision.”