Daniel Ricciardo has rebuffed any suggestions he left Red Bull to run away from Max Verstappen.
This week, British newspaper the Daily Telegraph quoted team boss Christian Horner as saying just that in a new Formula 1 Netflix series after Ricciardo had decided to join Renault for 2019.
However, while admitting he would understand why some people might say that given the advantage Verstappen had in the second half of last year, Ricciardo reiterated it was his own personal feelings that drove his thinking.
“Firstly, I’m sure he’s not the only one who has that opinion, I can see how people might want to think that or say that,' he commented in an interview with Australian outlet EFTM
“That hasn’t been pulled out of nowhere. It is what is – I obviously say no, not true. I love a good fight. It was more about me than Max.
“One [aspect] I’ve stated a few times and I think some people will understand it, I was at Red Bull five years," Ricciardo noted. “They’d won four world titles and I joined straight after that.
“In five years, looking from that first year, I’m [thinking that I'm] going to win a world title, that’s going to happen. [But] it didn’t and we never really got close. I’m not bitter about it, that’s what happened.”
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Interestingly, the seven-time Grand Prix winner has previously suggested Red Bull's leadership and their approach towards Verstappen was part of the 'kaleidoscope' of reasons for his departure.
At the same time, however, he also insisted his relationship with the Dutchman was better than he expected.
“My ability to become more frustrated in this environment was too high and I just don’t want to be that kind of unhappy, bitter person that’s just always ‘what could have been’, or ‘if only I’ve joined Red Bull in 2013’,” Ricciardo continued.
“So, it wasn’t about Max. [But] I understand how some people might think that.”
