Daniel Ricciardo will be leaving Red Bull after five seasons to join Renault in 2019, it has been announced on Friday.

The Australian's future has been one of the biggest questions throughout this year with rumours linking him to Ferrari and then claims he was being offered big money by McLaren, potentially to replace Fernando Alonso.

With options at other top teams closing, as Mercedes re-signed their drivers and the Scuderia consider their highly-rated youngster Charles Leclerc, it appeared almost certain that the 29-year-old would be staying put for at least two more years.

After testing in Hungary this week, however, Ricciardo put in his notice at the Milton Keynes outfit.

“We fully respect Daniel’s decision to leave Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and we wish him all the best in his future,” said team boss Christian Horner.

“We would like to thank him for his dedication and the role he has played since joining the team in 2014, the highlights, of course, being the seven wins and the 29 podiums he has achieved so far with us.”

Speculations had suggested Renault was the most likely destination and that has now been confirmed with the French manufacturer announcing the 'Honey Badger' will be replacing Carlos Sainz, with the Spaniard likely heading in the opposite direction.

"It was probably one of the most difficult decisions to take in my career so far but I thought that it was time for me to take on a fresh and new challenge," Ricciardo said.

"I realise that there is a lot ahead in order to allow Renault to reach their target of competing at the highest level but I have been impressed by their progression in only two years, and I know that each time Renault has been in the sport they eventually won.

"I hope to be able to help them in this journey and contribute on and off track."

Renault Sport managing director Cyril Abiteboul added: “Daniel’s signing underscores our determination to accelerate our progress towards the forefront of the sport and it is also a recognition of the work accomplished over the past two and a half seasons.

"Daniel’s undoubted talent and charisma are a huge bonus and statement for the team. We will have to repay his faith in us by delivering the best car possible. We welcome him to our growing team in 2019 with a great deal of pride, but also humility.”