Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo insists driving for Renault was a good move for his career

Daniel Ricciardo has reflected on his short time with Renault as his Formula One career takes another turn with McLaren next year. Despite no podium results (so far), the Australian ace says there are no regrets.

Daniel Ricciardo insists he has no regrets over his stopover at Renault, declaring he would never have “made the next step” as a driver staying at Red Bull.

As the Australian star prepares to make another turn in his Formula One career when he joins McLaren next year, Ricciardo said his initial switch to Renault was one he needed to make for his “personal development”.

Now in his second – and final – season with the French manufacturer, the Perth racer is still chasing his first podium with the team.

The 31-year-old was a seven-time Grand Prix winner during his five years with Red Bull.

Even though he will be moving on after two years, Ricciardo said he never felt the decision to join Renault had been a “bad call”.

“I think from a personal point of view I am certainly happy with it,” Ricciardo said.

“Results-wise. We have to see this year plays out. If we are going to jump on the podium a few times then we will probably say that is where we expected to be year two.

“But for my personal development, I think it has been really good for me.

“I look back at Red Bull and if I stayed – yeah, sure I would have a few more podiums than I have in the last 12 months – but, not to belittle it, it’s stuff that I had already achieved and I don’t think I would have made the next step so to speak.

Daniel Ricciardo will make the switch to McLaren in 2021 after two years at Renault. Picture: AP

“I think with Renault it has forced me to work a little harder in a car that’s a bit more uncomfortable and just try to find that extra little bit and make myself comfortable in the uncomfortable so to speak.

“I certainly don’t regret the move even though I’m moving on after this year, it certainly doesn’t feel like it was a bad call or a failure by any means, so I’m very happy with it.”

Ricciardo claimed his third fourth-place finish of the year in a chaotic Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello last weekend.

But he admitted it had been a podium chance that “got away” after jumping to P2 only to have Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Alex Albon pass him late in the race.

While he’s already excited about his move to McLaren next year, Ricciardo said he remained committed to delivering Renault’s first podium since their return to the sport in 2016 in what’s left of this season.

Daniel Ricciardo missed a chance to score his first podium finish with Renault at the Tuscan Grand Prix, finishing fourth. Picture: Getty Images

“I still certainly have faith that it can happen. I’m super determined for it to happen,” Ricciardo said.

“Obviously when I announced that I was leaving, I’m sure it hit a few people in the team and it put a bit of doubt in some members of the team. Has he already checked out? Is he starting to think of McLaren already, is he going to give us his best for the rest this year?

“I knew I could say to the team that ‘I am still here and I am still present and I want to finish strong’, but at the end of the day the results do the talking.

“I think so far they have and the team has been really happy with me, but I think a podium would really cement that. That’s certainly the aim, the goal and the ambition, but if I drive the way I have and it only ends up being a fourth, then I think I can still keep my head held high.”

Daniel Ricciardo will wave goodbye to Renault at the end of the year, but has no regrets about his move to the team. Picture: AFP

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After 10 years in Formula One, Ricciardo said he was “not even close” to being done and was confident his shift to McLaren will again help him move up the grid.

“When I got into the sport, obviously the dream and the goal is to be world champion,” he said.

“But to even be a multiple-time race winner, to have had poles and won in Monaco, for sure it makes me happy and I do feel a sense of accomplishment.

“But I do certainly feel like it’s not done, not even close.

“But I am having fun, I am enjoying it and apart from the success that is so important. I have had a really enjoyable 10 years and some really great experiences.

“Even if it ended today, I would be a little bit sad that I didn’t have the title, but I would look back on it with a smile and it has given me some massive life experiences.”

Originally published as Australian F1 star Daniel Ricciardo insists driving for Renault was a good move for his career