Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle isn’t surprised by Daniel Ricciardo’s decision to leave Renault after just two years.
The Australian’s move to Enstone from Red Bull after 2018 was seen as a gamble by many despite the French manufacturer finishing ‘best of the rest’ in the Constructors’ Championship.
And the doubters were largely proven right when Renault, who were criticised for spending so much on Ricciardo, failed to continue their progress last season and slipped behind customer team McLaren in the final standings.
For the 30-year-old, it was also a struggle to adapt to the admittedly underperforming Renault car, and Brundle noted how Ricciardo didn’t appear himself compared to the season before.
“He hasn’t enjoyed it there [at Renault],” he commented on Sky Sports.
“I barely remember seeing Daniel through last season. We used to see him all the time with that big flip-flop smile but for some reason, it just didn’t work for him there.
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“The car didn’t play on his speciality of last of the late-brakers.
“Maybe he fancies more the McLaren and the incoming Mercedes engine, maybe he’s concerned about where Renault will be in the future.
“It’s a bit of a sideways move but Daniel has obviously seen something at Renault that doesn’t fill him with confidence into the future.”
While McLaren themselves enjoyed a much stronger year with Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, dominating the midfield for much of the season, Brundle believes Ricciardo’s arrival will only add to the Woking-based outfit.
“Daniel brings more experience and obviously a lot more race wins to McLaren,” he said.
“McLaren are probably thinking they’ve had a net gain depending on what they have to pay him.
“It’ll certainly be the giggling team with Daniel and Lando Norris!”
