Red Bull Racing won't allow Daniel Ricciardo to drive for Renault, his future team, at the post-season Pirelli tyre test scheduled to take place right after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
New recruits Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly will likely both run at Yas Marina, respectively with Ferrari and Red Bull, teams affiliated with their current outfits, while George Russell will probably enjoy a head start with Williams.
Ricciardo to Renault is a no go however for the Aussie.
"I'm not allowed to test," he said in Austin. "I can't drive for Red Bull and they won't let me drive for Renault.
"So it is okay. I can have a holiday."
Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner insists that Ricciardo will fulfill his contractual obligations, as a matter of principle.
"I'm not allowed to test," the Australian said in Austin. "I can't drive for Red Bull and they won't let me drive for Renault.
"He's under contract past that date, so he won't be doing the test," Horner told Motorsport.com.
"There was a question, 'Is he available?' It's very clear that he's not, so it's very simple. They just asked what his availability was, and he's not available.
"He's still got obligations to tidy up until the end of his contract."
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