Renault Sport F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul knows that signing Daniel Ricciardo puts big pressure on the French team to perform at the outset in 2019.
Ricciardo's unexpected move from Red Bull to Renault definitely puts the onus on a team and a manufacturer that is still trailing its rivals in terms of both engine and chassis performance despite its increased efforts and resources.
The Aussie partly justified his decision by a need for change, but the jury is still out on whether the bold move will pay dividends, and when.
Ricciardo's aura as a 7-time Grand Prix winner isn't lost on Abiteboul, who also knows that Renault will have its back to the wall next season.
"It was a surprise, it was a relief," the Frenchman told Crash.net's Luke Smith, describing his reaction to Ricciardo's signing.
"But at the same time, I could also feel the weight of what it meant for us, for the team, because I feel that we are obliged now to him.
"We had an obligation before to perform and continue the progression, but we have a further obligation not to hurt someone who is one of the most charismatic drivers in the paddock."
Whether Ricciardo will find at Renault the success that eluded him at Red Bull remains to be seen, but Renault will certainly give it its best shot, and give straight out of the box in 2019.
"I think everyone wants him to be in a position to be in a good car, a good team, fight for wins, fight for podiums first.
"Now we have that obligation, not in two or three years’ time, but we have that obligation now towards him.
"I could also feel the weight of that obligation on us. But I can accept that anyway. We are not here to make up the figures, we are here also to perform and do these type of results.
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