Daniel Ricciardo to leave Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo is to leave Red Bull at the end of the season.

Ricciardo is expected to join Renault – Red Bull’s long-time engine suppliers but who have been ditched by Red Bull 2019.

Neither Renault or Ricciardo have commented on Red Bull’s shock announcement.

Former world champions Red Bull are yet to confirm the identity of Ricciardo’s replacement as Max Verstappen’s team-mate, but Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly is the favourite to fill the vacancy.

Ricciardo’s anticipated contract extension with Red Bull had been thought a formality.

But the Australian’s imminent switch to Renault will be perceived as the 29-year-old’s attempt to replicate the success enjoyed by reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton after he stunned the paddock in 2012 when he abandoned McLaren for a Mercedes team then languishing in the midfield.

Renault are currently fourth in the Constructors Championship and are yet to win a race since returning to the sport as a fully-fledged team three years ago when they bought Lotus.

Red Bull announced two months ago they were abandoning Renault power to switch to Honda for 2019 and 2020 – a swap which is likely to have been a major factor in Ricciardo’s decision to commit his immediate F1 future elsewhere.

More to follow…

Full statement from Red Bull

‘Daniel Ricciardo has advised us that he is to leave the Team at the end of the 2018 season.

‘Having joined the Red Bull family in 2008 as a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, with whom he won numerous junior titles, Daniel made his F1 debut in 2011 at the British Grand Prix. After two seasons with Scuderia Toro Rosso, Daniel joined us in 2014 and to date has brought the team seven victories, 29 podium finishes, two pole positions and 904 championship points.

‘Commenting on Daniel’s decision, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner said: “We fully respect Daniel’s decision to leave Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and we wish him all the best in his future. We would like to thank him for his dedication and the role he has played since joining the Team in 2014, the highlights of course being the seven wins and the 29 podiums he has achieved so far with us.

‘”We will now continue to evaluate the numerous options available to us before deciding on which driver partners Max Verstappen for the 2019 season. In the meantime, there are still nine races left in 2018 and we are fully focused on maximising every opportunity for Max and Daniel for the remainder of the season.”‘

F1’s back from its summer break with the Belgian GP this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. The race begins at 2.10pm on Sunday. Get Sky Sports F1 – the home of every race weekend LIVE in 2018.

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(c) Sky News 2018: Daniel Ricciardo to leave Red Bull