Daniel Ricciardo still owes "a lot" to Renault

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo still owes "a lot" to Renault

Renault has not achieved a podium in four years since returning to F1 as a constructor

Ian Parkes

Sunday 31 May 2020 14:00

Daniel Ricciardo has vowed to give Renault the podium finish it has been starved of since returning to Formula 1 as he believes he still owes the team "a lot".

The Australian caused a stir when it was announced he would be leaving Renault at the end of this season to join McLaren from 2021 on a multi-year contract.

Conceding there was no "light-bulb" moment that made him decide to switch teams, Ricciardo is at least determined to prove to Renault why he was worth signing from Red Bull in 2018.

Article continues under video

Without a podium in the four years since Renault returned to F1 as a constructor, Ricciardo told CNN: "When I signed with Renault the objective, I think by year two, was to get a podium.

"That's something I still very much want to do, and I do believe that can be done. So yeah, that would be a nice little send-off for everyone involved.

"I certainly know that I still owe a lot to Renault and I want to do that, not only for myself but for them."

Ricciardo concedes there has been no animosity since it was revealed he would be leaving, adding: "After the news, it was actually really nice. I received a lot of positive feedback from people on the team.

"And I know that they're excited for me to fulfil the rest of the year with them, to try and do as best as possible and hopefully win as many races as possible."

The 30-year-old is naturally "craving" a return to racing, with the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5 to start an eight-race calendar across Europe throughout the summer before F1 switches to the fly-away races it is still planning.

Assessing what can be expected at the Red Bull Ring, he said: "It's going to be interesting to see in Austria where everyone stands and who's kind of blazing out of the box and who might be a little bit rusty.

"I have obviously a lot of confidence in the field. We're obviously all experienced and professional. I do expect some [nerves], probably over-excitement.

"What that equates to, I don't know, whether it could equate to amazing overtakes and a crazy race or it could mean a chaotic kind of first lap of the race. You're going to get a mixture of emotions for sure."

Before you go...

Norris to ask Verstappen for tips on what makes Ricciardo angry

Vettel forced out of Ferrari by 'enormous criticism' - Hakkinen