Red Bull didn’t permit Daniel Ricciardo to test for Renault in Abu Dhabi as a ploy to hurt Renault, their managing director Cyril Abiteboul has claimed.
The Australian went home after the season finale at Yas Marina while many in the Formula 1 paddock remained for a two-day tyre test, gaining crucial information on next year’s Pirelli tyres.
Red Bull claimed the reason why Ricciardo was the only driver not allowed to drive for his new team in 2019 was because he is still under contract until the end of the year, but Abiteboul disagrees.
“Sometimes you need a fresh wind in a team, new energy and a look at things. That is probably also the reason that Red Bull did not give Daniel permission to drive our car in Abu Dhabi because he could already give us tips on where we could improve,” he told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.
“If Red Bull consciously deprives us of this opportunity, then it seems to me that we are heading in the right direction.”
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Ricciardo did complete his final farewells at Milton Keynes last week, however, and Abiteboul thinks the personality that has made the 29-year-old so popular since 2014 can be a big benefit at Renault.
“His laughter and positive attitude. Both parts that I think we’re missing within the team,” he added.