Daniel Ricciardo says he has not been “left on the side” by Renault as Fernando Alonso starts his 2021 preparations.
Last week, the Spaniard returned to the Enstone factory ahead of what will be his third stint at the team that will be known as Alpine from next year.
For Ricciardo, Alonso’s presence could potentially be seen as Renault already looking beyond him, as it is the Australian that will leave to join McLaren.
But he insists he remains as active in the team’s activities as he always has done.
“I think Fernando coming in, going on the sim the last few days, that’s exciting for the team and I certainly don’t feel that I’m in any way shape or form left on the side,” said Ricciardo via GPFans.
“I’m still working a lot with the team to develop the car for this year and obviously Fernando’s return is exciting for not only Renault but for F1.”
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Ironically, the 31-year-old will depart just as results are coming good, as Ricciardo has only been outscored by the two Mercedes drivers since the Belgian Grand Prix.
And he says the relationship between himself and Renault is currently the best it has been.
“Obviously, when I announced [I was leaving] there were some emotions as expected,” he said.
“The biggest thing for me was to reiterate my intention to fulfil everything for the remainder of this year and to give it all I had.
“At the time you say these things, whether it’s over the phone or in-person, eventually you’re actions have to do the talking.
“You can say so much, and it’s all well and good saying I’ll do my best and put everything in I can, but if I’m finishing at the back of the pack then it doesn’t seem like I’m living up to it.
“I feel like, certainly once we got racing and the team has seen the effort I’m putting in and the results that we’re turning out because of that, I think they can tell now that I was definitely trying to be true to my word and live up to that.
“We’re getting on with that, so I would say the atmosphere is very good.”