Ricciardo to Renault

[Whyzars]

Being reported in Australia now...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-0...nault/10072236

[The Black Knight]

Yeah, no wins for Danny for a while. He’s obviously towing the “Only a works team can win a championship” line and, in the next few years, Renault are the most likely team to break the top three teams domination of the sport. It might end up being a good move for him in the end, especially come 2021.

Unfortunately, I think he may live to regret it in the short term as I can see the Honda engine coming good before Renault do as a team. All RBR are lacking is straight line speed. They have everything else in their team and their chassis is second to none.

I would have stayed on for another two years with RBR if I were him and then thought about a Renault switch if Honda didn’t come good.

[N4D13]

Wonder if RBR will decide to partner Verstappen with Gasly or Sainz now? Sainz matched Max during their rookie season (although had a lot more reliability issues), but Gasly is very highly rated. It's difficult for us to know who'd be the better driver considering that Hartley doesn't seem to be much of a benchmark.

Edit: Joe Saward expects Sainz to move to McLaren: https://www.motorsportweek.com/joesaward/id/00289. Fun how he doesn't even mention Gasly at all.

[Bagwan]

Wonder if RBR will decide to partner Verstappen with Gasly or Sainz now? Sainz matched Max during their rookie season (although had a lot more reliability issues), but Gasly is very highly rated. It's difficult for us to know who'd be the better driver considering that Hartley doesn't seem to be much of a benchmark.

Edit: Joe Saward expects Sainz to move to McLaren: https://www.motorsportweek.com/joesaward/id/00289. Fun how he doesn't even mention Gasly at all.

I've read that Sainz and Max didn't get along well , and that Dr. Helmut wasn't too pleased when Sainz left Torro Rosso for Renault , so it's unlikely he'll end up there .

[Whyzars]

Ricciardo with Renault is a good fit at this stage of his career I think.

He'll end up with Ferrari eventually - but not yet.

I've read that Sainz and Max didn't get along well , and that Dr. Helmut wasn't too pleased when Sainz left Torro Rosso for Renault , so it's unlikely he'll end up there .

Its rare for a driver placement to be a somewhat surprise so its good when it happens.

Gasley seems most likely for RBR but Alonso could be the dark horse. Alonso is still driving as well as ever.

[N4D13]

Gasley seems most likely for RBR but Alonso could be the dark horse. Alonso is still driving as well as ever.

I think we'd all love to see Alonso on a competitive car, but I don't think that'll happen anytime soon. And I don't see a reason why RBR in particular would go for the biggest prima donna in F1 when they've got a crop of very fast drivers who'll most likely remain in F1 for quite a few years, where Alonso only has one or two years left in the sport at most.

[Whyzars]

I think we'd all love to see Alonso on a competitive car, but I don't think that'll happen anytime soon. And I don't see a reason why RBR in particular would go for the biggest prima donna in F1 when they've got a crop of very fast drivers who'll most likely remain in F1 for quite a few years, where Alonso only has one or two years left in the sport at most.

One thing RBR can be confident of is that Alonso will always bring a car home - Max not so much. The other thing Alonso will tell them is if the Honda is a dog.

I would never refer to Alonso as the biggest prima donna in F1 - that title definitely belongs to another...

[Nitrodaze]

Ricciardo with Renault is a good fit at this stage of his career I think.

He'll end up with Ferrari eventually - but not yet.



Its rare for a driver placement to be a somewhat surprise so its good when it happens.

Gasley seems most likely for RBR but Alonso could be the dark horse. Alonso is still driving as well as ever.

After the grief that he gave Honda at Mclaren, l very much doubt he would be considered at Redbull with a Honda engine.

[zako85]

What a surprise move. Just look at the current points delta between RBR and Renault. Hope this doesn't become another Alonso or Villeneuve move.

[Bagwan]

He knows that Renault will do anything they can to beat Red Bull , given the grief they've suffered from them over the years .
And , the now very orange-tinted team will be taking on Honda works status , dumping the Renault power plant , so they will be extra-motivated .

If he felt it already wasn't a fair fight , he'll be feeling it now and for the rest of the season .
He'll be number two for the rest of the year .

Unless , of course , something can be done to get the poor bastard out of there during the break .