Dutch Formula 1 journalist Jack Plooij believes Daniel Ricciardo “had a deal” with Ferrari for 2019 and still aims to drive for the Scuderia.
When the Australian was considering his future at Red Bull, rumours did circulate that he was in talks with the Italian team as a potential replacement for Kimi Raikkonen.
And while Ricciardo later admitted surprise at the lack of interest in him, the Ziggo Sport reporter offers a different view.
“I am almost certain that his lawyer had a deal with Ferrari,” Plooij states.
“There was a signature under something before he went to Renault and whether it was cancelled because of Charles Leclerc’s performance or what, that I don’t know, but in the end, Daniel Ricciardo is in Formula 1 to drive at Ferrari.”
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Instead, as the Dutchman mentions, Ricciardo agreed a two-year deal with Renault and though his first season didn’t go as planned, Plooij claims the 30-year-old is simply happy to away from Red Bull.
“The moment you sign there [at Renault], you almost know it can’t go well,” he claimed.
“But he was disappointed and the number two in the team [at Red Bull]. He didn’t want that.”