F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Ricciardo adds big 'obligation' for Renault to perform - Abiteboul

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.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

1 hour ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

2 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas,…

2 hours ago

Leclerc confident Ferrari ‘has a shot’ at F1 Constructors’ title

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…

3 hours ago

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

5 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

6 hours ago