Ricciardo was 'kind of concerned' with Red Bull culture

Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull's culture and his place within the latter contributed to his decision to leave the Milton Keynes-based outfit in 2018.

Ricciardo left the Red Bull family after seven seasons, five of which were spent with RBR and yielded seven Grand Prix wins between 2014 and 2018.

The Aussie then undertook a two-year stint with Renault before joining McLaren at the start of this season.

Looking back on his exit from Red Bull, Ricciardo felt that the general culture that pervaded at the team at the time no longer suited his outlook on his career at the pinnacle of motorsport.

"The culture is a big one," Ricciardo explained in an interview on the Optus YouTube channel when asked about the important criteria that might determine a driver's choice of a team.

"Because the culture dictates your happiness, your feeling, your enjoyment, your kind of sense of belonging.

"I think that there was kind of a lot of little reasons which left me to feel like leaving Red Bull or moving on from Red Bull was the right thing at the time.

"I was kind of concerned with the culture, but also what my place in the culture looked like moving forward.

"I felt like I was going to become slightly more frustrated, probably more complacent, [where] everything is just a little bit too easy. So it plays a big role, absolutely."

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Ricciardo made clear that he wasn't critical of Red Bull's culture but insisted that the way of life at the team was no longer in phase with how he saw his own development as a driver and individual.

"[It's about] what works for you, and that's so important," said the McLaren charger. "I think people in general have to not be afraid to put themselves first.

"It's okay to be selfish, especially when it comes to your career and eventually what will be a big part of your life.

"You have to do what feels right for you, and that might not be the same as the person next to you."

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