Daniel Ricciardo

Not an easy decision to quit Renault and join McLaren - Ricciardo

The Australian will switch teams at the end of the year

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 9 June 2020 13:01

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed that making the Formula 1 switch from Renault to McLaren was "not easy" with only pre-season testing as his guide.

Ricciardo's decision to quit Renault at the end of this year and join McLaren has been one of the surprises of the extended off-season, with the Australian replacing Carlos Sainz who is heading to Ferrari to take up the seat being vacated by Sebastian Vettel.

The 30-year-old has confirmed that while he had the freedom during lockdown to mull over the move, there was also the sense that at times he got carried away with his thoughts.

"It was a bit of both," said Ricciardo in an interview on F1 Instagram Live.

"Having a lot of time to think about things like the future was good, but then it was also not easy because you've got all this time but not much action. That was certainly difficult.

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"This whole year has been crazy for things even beyond coronavirus now. Making these decisions with only testing to go by this year, that wasn't easy.

"You race, you get going and you make your mind up, and whatever, but we're not in those times with that luxury, so not easy, but at the same time not an overnight decision.

"I guess I would just say this whole year has been weird, it continues to be weird."

Like any driver, Ricciardo is now itching to get back behind the wheel, with racing resuming in Austria on July 5.

It has been suggested many drivers will be rusty following such a long period away, yet Ricciardo is confident he will be able to turn it on immediately.

"I'm sure for some they might feel a few cobwebs here and there, for myself I'm good to go," added Ricciardo.

"I didn't really switch off from that point of view. On the farm [his home in Australia] I've got some buggies and things to keep me sharp.

"I was still keeping this up here [pointing to his mind] active and strong, whether it was riding bikes, buggies, dodging trees like I was, I was there.

"Yes, I haven't been racing in F1 but I've certainly kept everything firing to a point where I don't fear being rusty.

"I'm sure that when the red lights go out, we're all going to be chomping at the bit, and you might see some erraticness from some, I guess. Lap one might be a bit, however, but I'll be ready."

Before you go...

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