Red Bull Racing has confirmed Daniel Ricciardo will leave the team after the 2018 Formula 1 season.
The Australian joined the Red Bull junior family in 2008 and made his F1 debut with HRT in British Grand Prix in 2011. He moved to Toro Rosso in 2012 and graduated to the senior Red Bull team with whom he has been since the 2014 season.
His contract was to end after 2018 and he has since decided to leave the team and Red Bull family after the current year – thereby ending a long-standing relationship of 10 years between the two.
Team boss Christian Horner said: “We fully respect Daniel’s decision to leave Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and we wish him all the best in his future. We would like to thank him for his dedication and the role he has played since joining the Team in 2014, the highlights of course being the seven wins and the 29 podiums he has achieved so far with us.
“We will now continue to evaluate the numerous options available to us before deciding on which driver partners Max Verstappen for the 2019 season. In the meantime, there are still nine races left in 2018 and we are fully focused on maximising every opportunity for Max and Daniel for the remainder of the season.”
The deal between Ricciardo and Red Bull has been in talks for the past month or so and it seemed the Australian would stay back for another season. However, the rumours started to spread in the Australian media about a move elsewhere.
With Mercedes and Ferrari seemingly shut for him, the speculation started for a move to Renault. The French manufacturer is looking for an experienced driver to partner with Nico Hulkenberg as the rebuild their team.
It remains to be seen where Ricciardo moves on to as the Australian suggested the deal will be done before the race at Spa-Francorchamps. While Renault seems like the rumoured team, Ferrari is yet to confirm Sebastian Vettel’s partner as well.
The McLaren door is open as well with both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne not a certain to compete for the outfit in 2019. Whatever Ricciardo decides, his move though will shake-up the field wherever he goes.
Over at Red Bull though, it is likely a two-horse fight between Sainz and Pierre Gasly to choose from to partner Max Verstappen.