Red Bull boss Christian Horner initially thought Daniel Ricciardo was “joking” when he called to say he would not be re-signing for 2019, according to the Daily Mail.
Last Friday, the story many have waited all year for was made as the Australian confirmed his plans for next season, with the Milton Keynes outfit announced his departure before Renault was revealed as his next destination.
The news has surprised many given Red Bull is part of the established top three on the grid while the works team for the French manufacturer is still in the process of rebuilding after buying the remains of the Lotus team at the end of 2015.
Concerns over the pending switch to Honda engines and perhaps unhappiness at the growing power of Max Verstappen within the team is what most are pointing to as the reasoning, while the man himself insists he wants a “fresh challenge”.
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Even so, it is reported the news completely blind-sided Red Bull who had agreed to terms and even produced a video confirming Ricciardo’s retention, perhaps explaining why Horner didn’t believe the 29-year-old at first.
In typical Daily Mail fashion, the newspaper claims some within the team see his decision as Danny Ric “running away from Verstappen” as the Dutchman continues to improve.
Another incentive could be money too, with Renault reportedly paying £20m-a-year for his services, a figure some put at three-times that he was making at Red Bull.
