Webber: Ricciardo probably regrets Renault move

Shahida Jacobs
Daniel Ricciardo guarding his personal goals for 2020.

Daniel Ricciardo guarding his personal goals for 2020.

Mark Webber believes Daniel Ricciardo might be kicking himself over his decision to swap Red Bull for Renault.

After five fairly impressive seasons with Red Bull, the Australian decided to join the Enstone-based squad on a two-year contract.

However, the first year has been a struggle for both Renault and Ricciardo as the works squad are fifth in the Constructors’ standings, behind customer team McLaren.

Ricciardo has had four retirements while his last outing in Singapore turned into a nightmare after he was excluded from qualifying due to a power breach from Renault in qualy.

Former Red Bull driver Webber feels his compatriot, who insists he wants to stay with Renault after 2020, should have stayed with the Milton Keyes team.

“He was at Red Bull, I wish he stayed there because it is a better package,” he told Fox Sports’ The Back Page.

“Obviously there were some financial terms but Red Bull weren’t far off his [contract] numbers anyway.

“He could be regretting that two-year phase now, but he’s gotta get back out of [regret] now.

“Young guys come in and the landscape changes really fast in two years. You think, ‘yeah, I’m cool, I’ve got a bit of time’. Next minute, people come along.

“Touch wood, he can get out of it.”

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