Ricciardo's Renault move 'will test his love of the sport'

Former F1 star Mark Webber has again raised concerns about Daniel Ricciardo's imminent switch to Renault from Red Bull, believing that another frustrating season could lead the driver to begin to question how much he is enjoying competing in the sport.

Ricciardo secured a surprise switch to Renault for the 2019 campaign after growing tired of playing second fiddle to Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

But his year has been blighted by eight DNF's, including a hugely disappointing end to the Mexico Grand Prix when he was racing in second spot behind his team-mate Verstappen.

Ricciardo could not hide his disgust at how his race had ended, telling journalists afterwards that he didn't even want to attend the final two races of the season, in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, before later retracting his comments.

But Webber is wary of the type of challenge Ricciardo will be able to mount in the much-vaunted new Renault, and said that another year of car problems could leave the Honey Badger disillusioned.

He said to Australian publication The West: "I think it’s quite obvious he can’t wait for the season to be over, which is a little bit of a concern. I don’t want him to fall out of love with the sport.

“I just think that really tests your mettle. He’ll be questioning the sport in his head. There’s not too many people to put an arm around your shoulder. Only the tough survive and he knows that.

“He’s got to buckle up and keep going if he wants to bounce back with Renault next year. He’s made his bed over there with Renault, which I think is a weird decision, but that’s what he wants to do because he wants a change of environment.

“But it really can test how much he actually is enjoying the sport."