Is Daniel Ricciardo having second thoughts about his decision to depart Red Bull for Renault?

Daniel Ricciardo, Renault F1 Team

The Australian faced significant challenges at McLaren, aside from an unexpected victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, to the extent that he did not complete his contract and was succeeded by fellow compatriot Oscar Piastri for the 2023 season. His fortunes did not improve during a final stint at his former AlphaTauri/RB team, which was also marred by underperformance.

Meanwhile, his former teammate Max Verstappen continued to ascend, ultimately capturing four consecutive world titles with the Red Bull team Ricciardo had voluntarily departed.

Eight years later, when questioned in the Beyond The Grid podcast about whether he regretted leaving Red Bull, Ricciardo reflected: “I still don’t really know how to answer it, because I definitely don’t want to say, ‘Oh, yeah, I would have been world champion if I stayed’, because it’s not a reality that was lived. Max has gone on to prove he is one of the best ever, so I don’t want to dismiss that as well and be like, ‘Yeah, I would have beat Max and become world champion’. It wouldn’t have been an easy task, but I think it’s also maybe a bit unfair towards him to say that. Obviously I respect him a lot.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, congratulates pole man Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing

“I acknowledge definitely that it was a decision that was… If I tell you everything that went on, it was wild.”

Part of what influenced Ricciardo’s choice was a desire for change after spending a decade with Red Bull.

“If I’m to answer it shortly, yes, I wish I would have stayed, but… I don’t know, at the time, I left because I felt I was getting a bit comfortable, a bit complacent,” he went on. “I think there was a desire to try something else. It’s not that black and white.

“If I could have been a world champion, was that my best opportunity? Yes, absolutely. I would have loved to have known another reality of if I stayed. I don’t want to say it haunts me, but it’s the one unknown that I’m like, ‘Hmm, I’m so interested how that would have panned out’.”

Daniel Ricciardo, Renault F1 Team

However, Ricciardo recognized that Verstappen was incredibly fast and made fewer mistakes as time went on. “There’s also a reality where Max kept getting better, kept getting momentum, and I don’t know – would I have kept lifting? It’s hard to say,” he admitted.

“I won some races that 2018 year, I got a pole. I was still very capable, so I’m not doubting my abilities to have kept competing with Max, but… it’s a hard one.

“It’s clear that from that point on, yes, the river was a little winding and rough. That was a pivotal moment, for sure. So, if I could relive it, would I stay – and am I absolutely curious about what would have happened? Yes, the answer is yes. If you want to call it regret or curiosity or whatever, then I will say yes.”