Ricciardo to Renault is 'very strange'

Daniel Ricciardo's decision to leave Red Bull for Renault from the end of the 2018 campaign onwards has baffled Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who has described the whole situation as "very strange" as he believed the Australian would sign a new contract with the team.

The month-long summer break saw Ricciardo announce his decision which forced Red Bull into action, eventually replacing him with Pierre Gasly of Toro Rosso.

According to Marko, a deal was agreed with Ricciardo to extend his contract between the Austrian and Hungarian GP races, but if was never made official, and Renault pounced to secure his services.

"I don't understand it. It was a very strange situation anyhow," Marko told Servus TV.

"The negotiations were difficult but Wednesday before the Austrian Grand Prix we were talking for two hours and came to an agreement.

"During the weekend, we were talking and renegotiating again.

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"In Hungary, he told Mr [Dietrich] Mateschitz and me that he was OK with everything and that he was going to sign during the [post-Hungarian GP] test on Tuesday. But he didn't.

"On Thursday, he then called and told me he was going to Renault. I can only assume that maybe he doesn't believe in the Honda project or that Renault offered him a lot of money."

Marko thinks the decision will mean Ricciardo will not taste victory "in the near future" but did admit it was a "pity" that the Australian jumped ship.

"Including his time in the junior programme he has been with Red Bull for 10 years," the Red Bull advisor added.

"He said he needed a change of surroundings. I can understand that, but it's a pity because he is one of the strongest drivers. His overtakes are great. They come out of nowhere and sometimes his opponents don't even realise they are being overtaken."