Daniel Ricciardo will not follow Fernando Alonso as a top driver unable to race in a competitive car, David Coulthard has predicted.
The jury is still out on the Australian’s decision to take what many consider a backwards step by leaving Red Bull to join Renault for 2019, particularly given the problems he has endured both performance-wise and mechanically this season.
However, the Scot, formerly a Red Bull driver, does see the potential in the French manufacturer’s project to make strides up the grid.
“It’s a works team and they really invest, the fact that they’ve signed Daniel proves that,” said the pundit for British broadcaster Channel 4.
“That was no bargain and it’s a sign of what Renault’s intentions are. People write them off but something could happen.”
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Coulthard also believes simply having a driver like Ricciardo in their team can help enhance their progress up the grid, as he put the 29-year-old in illustrious company.
“If you’re producing a movie, the key to success is picking the right actor for the right part,” he began.
“Here, you have Lewis Hamilton as the superstar, Max [Verstappen] with his attacking driving style and Sebastian Vettel with his German winning mentality. Ricciardo belongs in that bracket.”
The key difference is, three of those drivers will be in cars capable of winning in 2019, one likely will not…
“The fact that in years past someone like Fernando Alonso hasn’t been able to be the protagonist in a non-competitive car is bad for the sport, but it’ll be better for Daniel at Renault,” Coulthard believes.