Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has described the phone call and the situation which led to Daniel Ricciardo choosing Renault for 2019 as "strange".
At the final race before the summer break in Hungary, the strong expectation was that the Australian was on the brink of re-signing for at least one more year with the Anglo-Austrian team after Mercedes had confirmed an unchanged line-up a week earlier in Germany.
Less than a week into the holidays, however, the situation had changed and Ricciardo surprised everyone with the news he had signed a two-year deal with the French manufacturer.
“I can not understand the change,” Marko told Red Bull-owned Servus TV. “That was a very strange story.
"The negotiations were difficult. On the Wednesday before the Austrian Grand Prix, I sat with him for two hours and we agreed terms. In Hungary, he said to both me and Mr. Mateschitz that everything fits, he will sign on Tuesday at the test. He did not do that.
“On Thursday afternoon I got a call. He had sort of a strange voice and I told him 'Get to the point! We are adults'. Then he said: 'I'm going to Renault'."
Also Read:
- Gasly hoping to reward Red Bull's faith after being confirmed for 2019
- Abiteboul: Ricciardo wins with Renault unlikely until 2020
- Horner: Ricciardo didn't want to play a 'support role' to Verstappen at Red Bull
The 29-year-old has identified the need for a fresh challenge as the main reason for his decision, although more may well come out this weekend in Belgium.
For the Austrian though, he thinks two key factors proved critical.
"I can only assume that he does not believe in the Honda project and that Renault offered him a very high amount. But I think 'shoeys' will be hard for him in the near future!" he claimed.
"He was a total of 10 years with Red Bull since his time as junior driver, he probably needed a change of scene. I can understand if he thinks the neighbour's grass is greener.
“On the other hand, it is a pity too. He is certainly one of the strongest drivers in the field. His overtaking manoeuvres were just great.
“The others sometimes don't even notice they've been overtaken. In qualifying, he has not done as well as Max [Verstappen], however.”
