Daniel Riccardo announced earlier in the season he was leaving Renault and going to McLaren. I am wondering now if he is questioning his move as things are starting to turn around with Renault. Six months in Formula One is an eternity and over the last few months we have seen a huge upswing in Renault performances.
Ok these results were only on day one of testing and the track will improve for the likes of Hamilton as more rubber is laid down by the cars. This tells us Renault are still lacking some down force but the Renault is showing it is faster in the slower corners than the rest of the field. The extra down force Mercedes have allows them to brake that bit later and yet Riccardo is matching Mercedes in the slower corners.
I don't think Riccardo was expecting to have a competitive car this season and why he made the jump so soon. Sometimes you have to have faith in the team around you which he obviously didn't when he made his mind up. I just worry that Renault are getting the car right and as they do he leaves.
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Look what happened to Vettel a 4 time World Champion with Red Bull and he gave that all up just to drive for Ferrari. Saying that Riccardo also gave up Red Bull and look what he has achieved since. I believe both Vettel and Riccardo should have stayed with Red Bull as who knows what they could have achieved.
McLaren next season have the Mercedes engine yet this season they have the same as Renault. The McLaren team has also been improving but not at the same pace as Renault over the last month. Something has happened at Renault and it could be the upgrades are working better than expected.
There is no doubting Daniel's driving ability and I think whatever car he drives he will perform at some point. Earlier in the season he complained about vibrations and lack of control. Those problems have since been fixed and the package seems to be coming together rather nicely so much so that he is a firm favorite for a podium this weekend.
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McLaren must be happy seeing their next season driver doing so well and surely have to get him acquainted with their car at some point soon. If it means him driving the 2018 car to get a feel for things it will be time well spent. Riccardo has been one of the top 3 drivers this season as he has impressed constantly in an improving car. Reliability issues which hindered him the whole of last season have been ironed out and may have had him in a negative mind set when he signed for McLaren.
Fernando Alonso is returning to Renault to take Riccardo's seat and they are planning to get him up to speed with the 2020 car by driving on film days. Renault are gambling with Alonso and I am sure right now would accept Riccardo back if they could.
How many drivers have hopped around teams and under achieved throughout their careers. Carlos Sainz must be really concerned on his move to Ferrari as it looks a lost cause for the next few years. They have engine power issues which is not a straight forward fix. He for one should not have moved knowing the Mercedes engine was on it's way to McLaren. We will know how dumb his move really was when he retires in the future and how many victories he had with Ferrari.