Horner: “Daniel Ricciardo had fantastic races for Red Bull”

With eight world titles and 59 victories, the tandem Red Bull Racing - Renault will have left its mark on the last decade in F1. But it was written that the collaboration between the two entities had to stop, given the increasingly marked tensions between the two parties since the advent of V6 turbo/hybrid Power Units and the takeover of power. Mercedes.

Despite everything, the Renault clan highlights the benefits of this partnership before focusing on 2019. “ We have found in Red Bull a partner capable of repelling all challenges, described Cyril Abiteboul, director of Renault Sport Racing.

In return, we explored the limits of engine technology with some of the most cutting-edge innovations seen in F1 engines like blown exhausts. We also met a partner whose competitive spirit matched ours.

Together we have achieved fantastic results, and when the time comes, our shared journey will be recognized for its true value. We wish Red Bull Racing good luck and look forward to continuing our on-track rivalry in the coming seasons. »

Red Bull will place its trust in engine manufacturer Honda from 2019, when Renault will be able to concentrate on continuing its commitment as a manufacturer, which began in 2016. An objective of returning to the forefront which will take a certain Daniel Ricciardo, who yesterday competed in his last race with Red Bull Racing.

Ricciardo praised by Horner

Shortly after the finish of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Christian Horner took a look marked with a certain satisfaction after an end to the season where the RB14s somewhat returned to the match against Mercedes and Ferrari. “I think we've made big progress in terms of development on the car, clearly since the summer break.

We should have been on the podium in Monza, we were strong in Singapore, in Russia, also in Japan, in Mexico… It was a big sequence of podiums. The car was good at the start of the season, but we lost ground around Montreal, where the engine upgrades were introduced. Mercedes and Ferrari have regained performance. It was after the summer break that we found ourselves in a competitive position again. »

The British official also said a word to Daniel Ricciardo, 4th yesterday on the Yas Marina Circuit, and who missed the podium for his last outing with a car flanked by the famous red bull. “All of us in the team would have liked Daniel to be on the podium for his last race with Red Bull.

We wanted him to do a shoey for the last time, but it didn't happen. It's been a pleasure to have him with the team for the last five years, and with Red Bull since 2007. It's been good to see him grow and evolve. He had some fantastic races for us. His personality fit perfectly with the brand. »

Ricciardo notably won the Monaco Grand Prix this year, but had experienced a second half of the season marked by a number of mechanical failures.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents on the Yas Marina Circuit, in AUTO issue 2193hebdo, available this evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.