Renault: 2020
Renault says its optimistic aspirations for the coming Formula 1 season mean that Daniel Ricciardo will need a leap of faith about his 2021 chances to retain him.
The team was skeptical about their prospects of releasing their 2020 program, aiming just fourth in the Constructors’ Championship and making no guarantees to become a frontrunner.
Ricciardo’s two-year contract is up at the end of the season, and vacancies at Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari for 2021 are currently available.
Non-executive director of Renault’s F1 Alain Prost said the team would accept its form alone will not be enough to convince Ricciardo to stay.
We have to tell the truth this year,” Prost said, speaking at Renault’s launch in Paris.
As we don’t have high expectations about this year. So, it’s a shame for Daniel. With not much in the second year but it’s going to be better.
More rational about the offers he will have from other teams.
He’s going to decide by himself but we’re going to talk really soon. We’re not having everything in our pockets, that’s for sure.
Ricciardo said that he has not yet weighed his options. But that he has for now maintained confidence in Renault’s mission.
“Beyond this year. I don’t have anything written down with Renault but whatever may or may not happen in the next few months, or over the course of the year. I’m 100 percent committed to still doing this work,” he said.
I haven’t even thought of scenarios being somewhere else.
I feel like last year was somewhat unpredictable. But this year I hope there’s a lot more in order to get this thing on the right track. Check some of the boxes I figured we’d click when I signed the contract.