Marko Reveals Insights on Ricciardo’s Departure: ‘He Had Concerns About the Honda Engine’

Helmut Marko, an advisor for Red Bull Racing, has opened up about Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from the Austrian team. The Australian driver made a shocking move to Renault in 2019, which caught the entire racing community off guard, especially since he had previously assured Red Bull with a handshake that he would stay with them for that season.

The Highs and Lows of Ricciardo’s Red Bull Career

During his tenure at Red Bull Racing, Ricciardo achieved the pinnacle of his motorsport career, claiming an impressive seven victories out of his eight Grand Prix wins. His time with the team was marked by thrilling races and significant achievements, but the summer of 2018 saw Ricciardo making a decision that shocked both fans and team management alike. He chose to join Renault, a move that came as unexpected news to the Austrian racing outfit.

The Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics

Marko emphasized that Ricciardo’s choice to leave Red Bull was a defining moment in his career, particularly because of the prior agreement they had. “We had gathered in Graz for a significant event,” Marko recounted in an interview with Formula1.de. “Following that, we agreed on a contract, sealed with a handshake. He even made a similar agreement with Dietrich Mateschitz in Salzburg.”

However, as Marko pointed out, Ricciardo had reservations regarding the Honda engine, which was set to be integrated into the Red Bull lineup. The Australian reportedly found himself more in alignment with Renault’s aspirations and the vision presented by Cyril Abiteboul, the then-managing director of Renault Sport Racing. Ultimately, Ricciardo spent two seasons at Renault before making another significant career move to McLaren.

The Decision’s Reflective Nature

Despite the challenges Ricciardo faced after leaving Red Bull, he maintains that he has no regrets about his decision. His subsequent career statistics show just one victory since his departure, yet Ricciardo remains firm in his belief that the choice was right for him at that moment. “I don’t look back with regret,” he shared during a discussion with PlanetF1. “I fully understand why I made that decision. If I had the same thoughts back then as I do now, I might have chosen differently, but that doesn’t mean I regret my decision at that time. I was simply in a different frame of mind.”

The Future Ahead

As Daniel Ricciardo looks toward the future, he aims to leverage his experiences to further grow as a driver, learning from both the triumphs and challenges he has faced. Each phase of his career, whether with Red Bull, Renault, or McLaren, brings lessons that could ultimately shape the trajectory of his racing journey. For fans and analysts alike, Ricciardo’s path remains an intriguing narrative in Formula 1, revealing the complexities of driver decisions within the high-stakes world of professional motorsport.