Ricciardo explains decision to leave Red Bull for Renault

Daniel Ricciardo says a desire to help Renault grow into a title-winning team was chief in his decision to ditch Red Bull for the French squad. Renault confirmed the signing of Ricciardo on a two-year deal from 2019 on Friday, which will end his long association with Red Bull.

Ricciardo had spoken at the Hungarian grand Prix of his future in F1 being all-but secured, however assumptions that this meant he would renew his deal with red bull were blown out of the water on Friday.

Pre-season suggestions that Ricciardo could be of interest to Mercedes or Ferrari, with his contract winding down ultimately proved to be ide of the mark

Ferrari are reportedly set to give Kimi Raikkonen another one-year deal after cooling on a promotion for Charles Leclerc, while Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton finalised new deals with Mercedes prior to the German Grand Prix.

With a bid from McLaren of little interest to the Australian, he says the progress shown by Renault in recent years caught his eye - the team are fourth in the constructors' championship after 12 races of 2018.

"It was probably one of the most difficult decisions to take in my career so far," he said. "But I thought that it was time for me to take on a fresh and new challenge.

"I realise that there is a lot ahead in order to allow Renault to reach their target of competing at the highest level but I have been impressed by their progression in only two years, and I know that each time Renault has been in the sport they eventually won.

"I hope to be able to help them in this journey and contribute on and off track."

Ricciardo will partner Nico Hulkenberg at Renault, despite widespread reports that Esteban Ocon would join the team - Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had even publicly sanctioned the switch for his junior driver.