Renault reacts to Ricciardo's departure from McLaren

It is in the form of a press release with a particularly dry tone that Renault reacted to departure of its driver Daniel Ricciardo to the McLaren team by 2021. When the Losange recruited the Australian at a high price for two seasons in 2018, it was to instill a new dynamic and build a long-term project. With the focus on the 2021 technical revolution, ultimately postponed by one year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

While it was supposed to be one of the centerpieces of the device, Ricciardo will no longer be in Yellow and Black when the F1 from the future. The 2020 season hasn't even started yet and the Perth native is already on his way to Woking, where it will replace a Carlos Sainz recruited by Ferrari. 

« In our sport and in the very unique situation we are going through, mutual trust, solidarity and commitment are more than ever essential values ​​for a manufacturer team., reacted Cyril Abiteboul, principal team of the Renault F1 Team, without ever mentioning the name of Ricciardo. I am convinced that the 2020 season will allow us to achieve more together and our ambitions and Renault's strategy as a team remain the same. »

What will the atmosphere be within the French team when the 2020 campaign starts? Water will have flowed under the bridges by kick-off and both parties are professional enough not to make things worse. But on this Thursday morning, there is clearly bitterness in the French clan. 

Ricciardo, for his part, tweeted to say that his story with Renault was not yet over and that there was one last beautiful chapter to write together. 

I am so grateful for my time with @renaultf1team and the way I was accepted into the team. But we aren't done and I can't wait to get back on the grid this year. My next chapter isn't here yet, so let's finish this one strong. THANKS pic.twitter.com/YFfzbwrgD7

- Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) May 14, 2020