Daniel Ricciardo speaks on his decision to change teams from Red Bull to Renault

Daniel Ricciardo speaks for the first time about his shock switch from Red Bull to Renault for next season’s F1.

Daniel Ricciardo said he spent 48 difficult hours deciding to change teams from Red Bull to Renault for next season’s F1, but denied that Red Bull was sidelined or that there was any bad blood.

Ricciardo said there had been many discussions between him and the team about his Red Bull contract for months and he had never told them he was formally committed to signing.

He admitted his decision was a surprise to the team, but refuted suggestions that he was unloved or shown any disrespect by the Red Bull officials.

“It was all very tight with deadlines,’’ Riccardo said in a press conference, speaking for the first time about his shock switch of teams.

He added: “It was not something I knew for weeks or months. Renault had been part of the consideration, they didn’t come out of nowhere. I was really torn what to do. On the race weekend of Budapest I was not sure what I was going to do. We had the test on the Tuesday and I took my time over the next 48 hours.’’

Ricciardo, 29, stressed that his decision wasn’t about the Red Bull switch to Honda engines, his rivalry with teammate Max Verstappen, nor the money.

Pierre Gasly, left, of Scuderia Toro Rosso, with Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso, right. of McLaren during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium.

He admitted that at the beginning of the season there was momentum and energy but then he felt “personally frustrated’’ and wanted a change of scenery and a new challenge.

He told The Australian of “being dulled down by the routine’’ after being at Red Bull and the sister team Toro Rosso for nearly a decade.

Verstappen, when asked about Ricciardo’s comments dryly noted: “it's a change of scenery but I am not sure it's the best scenery to go to”.

But Ricciardo said Red Bull’s final offer was put in front of him and he lay in bed at night asking himself many questions.

”What do I want and where do I see myself,’’ he said.

Ricciardo said the call to Red Bull boss Helmut Marko “left me a bit nervous’’ but said Marko was very calm and respectful.

“He was a little disappointed I was moving on. It makes me sad to move on, but it was nice to know I was wanted.’’

Ricciardo said part of the attraction of Renault was its trajectory in spending money on being a significant player against the powerhouses Mercedes and Ferrari.