Ricciardo: First Renault shoey only in ‘2020’

Ahead of his move to Renault, Daniel Ricciardo acknowledges it is going to take the team time to reach the Formula 1 podium and that he may have to wait until “2020” for his first Renault shoey.

Earlier this year the 29-year-old announced that he would be leaving Red Bull at the end of this season, signing instead with their soon-to-be-ex engine partner.

The decision shocked many, including his Red Bull bosses, given that Renault’s best result since returning to F1 as a full constructor in 2016 has been two P5s.

Ricciardo isn’t shying away from the challenge that awaits.

“I think it’s realistic to think a podium ‘shoey’ could come in 2020,” he told Sky F1.

“I don’t want to count off a podium next year but I think realistically it has to come under some circumstances, if it’s a bit of a crazy race like Baku 2016 or something.

“I think it’s going to take another 12 months to be a podium contender but that’s the trajectory they’re on.”

The Aussie explained some of the reasoning behind his decision to swap from Red Bull to Renault, saying with Formula 1 as it is as present even Red Bull who are third in the standings don’t have a chance at beating Ferrari or Mercedes to the title.

“I really see it hard at the moment for anyone to fight for a title other than Ferrari and Mercedes in the next 12 months.

“Obviously Red Bull are an unknown now with Honda, but still the odds are with Ferrari and Mercedes.

“I kind of feel like 2019 is going to be a building year, regardless of where I was going to be, so we’ll try and do what we can next year but attack in 2020.”

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