In 2014, Ricciardo joined Red Bull as a teammate of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel . The Australian made an immediate impression, and came to be regarded as the team’s main driver following the German’s departure later that year.
In 2016, after four races, he had a new garage mate with the arrival of Max Verstappen , who immediately won his first race for the Milton Keynes outfit at Barcelona. Since then, the Dutchman has increasingly shaped the team to his will, making Ricciardo increasingly uncomfortable at Red Bull.
Three seasons later, the Australian made the decision to move to Renault . However, after two courses in which things did not go as expected, he changed again to start a new adventure at McLaren. On this occasion, the Perth driver had a young talent at his side who had been fully supported by the team.
McLaren even trusts Lando Norris so much that this week he has extended his contract again and will surely be at the service of the Woking team until 2025.
Ricciardo, meanwhile, had a rocky start with his new team in 2021, but it was he who gave the Brits their first grand prix win since 2012 by winning in Italy last year. Meanwhile, he watched his old teammate, Max Verstappen, take the world title.
Last season, Verstappen was winning races and fighting for the championship, and Ricciardo was questioned several times if he regretted leaving Red Bull. All their answers were no, and that hadn’t changed since the #33 won the drivers’ title.
“The honest answer is no,” said the Australian after a brief silence when asked by Motorsport.com about it at the unveiling of the new MCL36.
“I hesitated for a moment because I don’t want to seem abrupt and disrespectful to Red Bull by saying no straight away, because they have meant a lot to my career. I was there for five years and at one point I felt like I was ready for something new.”
Ricciardo says it’s not certain he would have been fighting for the world title last year if he was still at Red Bull .
“I’m not sure I would have been a better version of myself if I had continued for another year in 2019 and then stayed in 2020 and 2021 as well. If I had driven there last year, maybe I wouldn’t have come close to the title. You don’t know things like that.”
“I needed a change and it hasn’t always been easy, but I honestly don’t regret what I did back then, or anything I’ve been through. When I saw Max win the title, I didn’t think for a moment, ‘What if… .’ I didn’t feel bad about it and I didn’t have any ‘poor me’ feelings. In fact, I’m glad they’re back on top. If it can’t be me, it better be them.”
