Breaking news
Formula 1
Renault wanted Ricciardo as part of engine deal
Renault made a bold attempt to try to get Daniel Ricciardo off Red Bull for 2018 as part of the deal to cancel its engine contract with Toro Rosso, multiple sources with good knowledge of the situation have revealed.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Sep 15, 2017, 10:24 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
One of the key parts of the complicated jigsaw that has allowed McLaren and Toro Rosso to swap engines for next year was arranging an incentive for Renault to shift its customer supply from Faenza to Woking.
Renault has been on the hunt for a new teammate for Nico Hulkenberg next year, and the French car manufacturer sensed a good opportunity to get one of Red Bull’s roster in exchange for letting Toro Rosso switch to Honda.
Although Red Bull has ultimately agreed to release Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz for 2018 – on the proviso that he could be brought back for the following year if he is needed – it has emerged he was not the only driver Renault targetted during talks.
Sources have revealed that at one stage, as discussions reached a crunch point for the engine changes to go ahead, Renault made a bid to get Ricciardo instead.
The Australian’s form against Max Verstappen has left him as one of the key players in the future driver market, especially with his contract at Red Bull coming to an end after next year.
But with Red Bull well aware of Ricciardo’s strengths and having no interest in letting him go, in the end Renault gave up its hunt for the Aussie and focused efforts on Sainz instead.
Red Bull gave its blessing for Sainz to move to Renault – although there has been no official confirmation of the news, nor a final decision on when the Spaniard will make the switch across to the Enstone-based team.
Renault has been pushing to get Sainz in the car as early as possible – potentially from the Malaysian Grand Prix – with his place at Toro Rosso then taken, at least in the short term, by Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly
But Renault’s current driver Jolyon Palmer is standing firm about the contract he has in place, and unless the team and British driver reach a compromise deal and agree to part ways, there is no way open for Sainz to be slotted in.
Palmer was in a defiant mood in Singapore on Thursday when asked about his future situation, and the prospect of losing his seat from Malayia.
“I have a contract. I’ve got seven more races this year,” he said. “There have been suggestions for the past 35 races that I might not be at the next one, or in the next few, so this is nothing new for me. It’s water off a duck’s back now.
“It’s the same, I think at probably most races this year it’s been the case and nothing has changed.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Rosberg to help manage Kubica's F1 comeback bid
Next article Singapore GP handed new four-year deal
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
3 mo
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
4 mo
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
4 mo
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
More from
Red Bull Racing
Christian Horner takes cheeky swipe at Guenther Steiner: 'He never achieved an F1 podium'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
11 h
Christian Horner takes cheeky swipe at Guenther Steiner: 'He never achieved an F1 podium'
Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"
Formula 1
Formula 1 16 h
Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"
Latest news
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
1 h
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
2 h
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
8 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe