Column: Why Ricciardo's Renault move is make or break
- Published on 04 Aug 2018 13:08
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Daniel Ricciardo sent shockwaves through the F1 market on Friday when he decided to leave Red Bull behind and join Renault at the end of the 2018 season. Few predicted that the Australian would be leaving the energy drink squad, while even fewer believed he would end up at Enstone.
However, it is now a reality, and Ricciardo will be departing the team he took two pole positions, 29 podiums and seven race wins with. But what will his move to Renault mean for him, and how could it have an impact on his future?
There is no doubting that Renault is a team on the way up. When it re-joined the sport in 2016 it was a shadow of the team it is now. Having taken over from Lotus late on in 2015, the R.S. 16 was just a mere evolution of Lotus' car that ran throughout the 2015 season.
Just eight points were scored in 2016, before a major boost came in 2017. The French team racked up 57 points, finishing three positions higher than where it ended in 2016. And at the halfway point of the 2018 season, Renault has picked up 25 more points than it did in the entirety of the 2017 season.
All of this shows Ricciardo clearly that the team has the resources to improve its place in the standings year to year. Currently, it is in a battle for fourth place, the 'best of the rest', but what happens when (or 'if', if you're sceptical) it establishes itself as the fourth fastest team?
In recent years, we have seen that when a driver from a top team has to start a race from the back of the field, it makes its way past the backmarkers pretty quickly, before encountering the challenge of closing the gap to the top 5.
Something similar can be said to Renault's development. It is making gains on the backmarkers and midfield teams, but once it clears them, there will be a big gap to close in to the remaining teams ahead, most notably Mercedes and Ferrari.
The two aforementioned teams should be expected to be title contenders next year, but will Renault's challenge of conquering Red Bull prove easier? Red Bull will be running with Honda power in 2019, with the Japanese manufacturer still holding a poor reputation.
Should Renault be able to match Red Bull next year, the move will be seen as an instant success. But the good thing for Ricciardo is that he doesn't hold the expectation of beating his former team - so the possibility that he could is a bonus.
He will also be coming up against Nico Hulkenberg, which is already set to be the most intriguing intra-team battle in the paddock. Hulkenberg has already embedded himself in the team for the long-term, and Ricciardo will be a big boost to the squad.
While Ricciardo may not be expected to get the better of Red Bull, it would reflect incredibly poorly on him should Hulkenberg beat the honey badger. Ricciardo is seeking a new challenge, but having somewhat held his own against highly rated Max Verstappen, it would be astonishing should Hulkenberg beat Ricciardo.
A two-year deal has also been penned, which is a positive - Ricciardo has the opportunity to prove his worth at a new team and showcase his abilities in adapting to a fresh situation, all the while being available for the 2021 market, where there will be plenty of top seats available.
The move is one of the most interesting decisions we've seen in recent years, and there's no doubt that there is plenty of risks involved. But at 29 years of age, this is it for Ricciardo. When his Renault contract is set to expire in 2020, he'll be 31. And whether he is hoping to get world championship success with Renault or simply strengthen his position as an attractive driver to bring in, it will prove to be his ultimate career-defining move.
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Replies (8)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Much of it depends on Honda vs Renault. Red Bull will most likely come out with a superior chassis... Again... And I still expect them to beat works Renault even if Honda were to remain weaker, but if Honda isnt up to scratch it'll be Red Bull fighting to retain 3rd rather than fighting for wins.
Hepp
Posts: 200
Agreed, again
Hepp
Posts: 200
I think this is a very good pairing, Hulk and his WEC experience combined with a master of out-breaking, both have something to teach each other. Both have superior car control ... in traffic. Renault has made a very wise move, DannyRic can help bring this team forward.
AND, I am glad to see him removed from the toxic relations between Jos/Max/Helmut/Christian. Tired of punching a hole for others? Good on Dan for punching free.
This, however, secures his "#2 driver status" for the rest of this season.
I would love to see Ric out-point Max this season.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Oh me too. And I think he will, unless reliability is a bit toss. Regardless, they are losing a good and marketable driver. I wonder how it would go if Gasly grab that seat.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
I wonder people you would think that Redbull prefers Max or its simply more todo that he's just a tad faster. But after committing to Renault he will definitely be.
Removing himself from the main team has more todo whether he could beat him in a straight fight.
I am not against him joining Renault but it has the potential to be career ending, if Hondas PU comes through next year than they will both be competing for the same type of points next year.
Haas and Sauber will both benefit from the gains of Ferrari so it will be a lot closer between teams in 2019 in the mid field.
Still the issue for Redbull is access to an leading F1 PU. Looking forward to seeing how it pans out.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
I wish him the best, but it sucks that neither Merc nor Ferrari would give him a seat as it would put pressure on their goldenboys. They'd rather have a lackey #2 driver instead. Shame, we all lose out on what could have been awesome.
blade
Posts: 341
I agree, a tad tough on both but the truth is - stability is what these teams are seeking, there's no room or sense in two alpha's - look at Senna/Prost - Mansell/Piquet - lose a lot of points fighting against themselves and these days the constructors championship is so important for these goliath organisations., sad really.
Major Tom
Posts: 152
It's a brave move partially forced on him by Red Bull's apparent favoritism of Verstappen. A lot will depend on the relative merits of the Honda and Renault engines - which is increditably difficult to predict. Overall a bit of an act of desperation.