F1 2020: Jenson Button still questions why Daniel Ricciardo ever left Red Bull
Former world champ Jenson Button has issued a stark warning about Daniel Ricciardo’s move to McLaren next season but reckons the Aussie will always rue something he did years ago.
F1
Don't miss out on the headlines from F1. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former world champion Jenson Button has labelled Daniel Ricciardo’s move to McLaren as “make or break” as he questioned the Australian’s decision to ever leave Red Bull.
Speaking ahead of this week’s Formula One Belgian Grand Prix, Button said he could never understand Ricciardo’s call to walk away from Red Bull to “step backwards” at Renault.
After two years at the French manufacturer – where his highest finish has been a pair of two fourth placings – Ricciardo will make the switch to McLaren in 2021.
Button said at the age of 31, Ricciardo still had time on his side, but it was approaching a crunch period in his career in his quest to challenge for a world championship.
“This move to McLaren is a make or break I think for Daniel in his career,” Button, who raced for McLaren in the second half of his career, told the In the Fast Lane podcast.
“He is still young, but you have got to start moving towards a team that can give you race wins and hopefully fight for a championship.
“It’s an important move for him and hopefully it pays off. McLaren with a Mercedes (engine) in the back should be very competitive, it’s just how competitive they’re allowed to be.”
Ricciardo was a seven-time Grand Prix winner at Red Bull before his shock decision to leave the energy-drink team at the end of 2018.
Button, who won the Formula One world championship in 2009, admits he was flummoxed by Ricciardo’s switch to Renault and suggested the Australian had likely “questioned” the decision himself at times since.
“I was massively surprised by his move to Renault,” Button said.
“I would have loved to have seen him in a Red Bull the last couple of years pushing Max (Verstappen), they would have pushed each other so much and it would have been a great battle to have seen.
“For many months I didn’t get it and I even said to Daniel, ‘I don’t get it, I don’t get your decision to move to Renault’ and I’m sure he has questioned it at times as you always do when you step backwards.
“I know that he is paid a lot of money at Renault but he would also have been paid a lot of money at Red Bull so I don’t think it is a cash issue, or cash the reason behind it.
“I think it goes back to not feeling equal with your teammate and not feeling wanted in the team and I think that is the reason why he made that move.”
MORE MOTORSPORT
“F*****g hot”: F1 star’s underpants slowing him down
McLaughlin doubles down for title with Top End rout
Ricciardo reveals crazy bet with boss
Despite his reservations over the Renault move, Button said Ricciardo’s performances had “really impressed”.
“(I am) probably more impressed with what he has done at Renault than what he ever did at Red Bull,” Button said.
“To have one over (then teammate) Nico (Hulkenberg) in his first year like that I think is very impressive. Now we’ve just seen what Nico can do in a Racing Point, it shows his strength. So for Daniel to do that is very impressive.”