Due to a perceived stagnation in performance at Renault, F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo decided to secure his future by signing with McLaren for 2021. Renault has put up a decent fight this season and has managed to outpace McLaren in certain Grands Prix, yet they still trail behind in the constructors' championship. Even with Renault's recent uptick in performance, Ricciardo remains confident in his decision to leave.
Sighting the lack of improvement by Renault F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo decided to move to Mclaren for the year 2021 by signing a deal with them. During the current season, Renault’s been decent and have even outperformed the Mclaren team in some Grand Prix events, but they have been unsuccessful in going past the Mclaren in constructors’ points table. Ricciardo has been very local of him not regretting his decision despite Renault improving their game compared to the previous season.
Ricciardo mentioned that he is pleased with how far Renault has come and wishes them continued success. He emphasized that switching to McLaren was a professional move and not a sign of disrespect toward his current team.
The Australian driver noted that it's rewarding to see Renault improve, as it sets up a competitive battle with McLaren for the next season. He feels that having a strong rival like Renault will motivate McLaren to push their limits, making his move even more appealing.
The points gap between the two teams is currently slim, with McLaren in third place at 106 points and Renault in fifth with 99. With only 7 points separating them, the standings could shift in just a couple of races. This intense battle for position is expected to keep both teams fighting right until the final race of the season.
Ricciardo appreciates the transparency and professionalism Renault has shown him since he committed to McLaren.
While he acknowledges Renault's progress, Daniel's primary goal is to compete at the very front of the grid, where every single race is critical for the championship. He believes McLaren offers him the best shot at reaching that top tier. He also praised the team environment at Renault, noting that there has been no friction or tension since his move became official. Furthermore, his consistent work on the simulator has been a driving force behind his own performance gains this year.
Ricciardo has been working on the simulator regularly and that has been a key aspect of his improvement this season.
Looking ahead to 2021, McLaren will be switching to Mercedes power units, a move that is expected to significantly boost their overall speed and reliability.