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McLaren CEO Zak Brown has revealed that he was "pretty close" to signing Daniel Ricciardo for the 2019 season. On Friday, Renault announced that the Australian would be joining the French team, ending his long run within the Red Bull programme.
McLaren's line-up for next year is uncertain, with the seats of both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne in doubt. Talking to RACER, Brown said that a few meetings had been held in which a deal was discussed, but the American thinks McLaren's current poor form swung in Renault's favour.
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"We had a couple of meetings and we are big fans of Daniel,” Brown said. “I think he’s a great guy, I think he’s a great race car driver. How close we came to getting him, I think only Daniel knows the answer to that question. Had we been running more competitively I think that would have increased our odds.
"I think he had a strong desire to leave and I think it was probably pretty close between us and Renault, but ultimately Daniel would be best to tell you how close. But he was certainly someone that we rate very highly and think he’s a great race car driver and a great guy."
When asked if Alonso could leave McLaren to take Ricciardo's spot at Red Bull, Brown replied: "I think it’s thrown a spanner in the works for some other teams but we’ve got a plan which we are executing against which Ricciardo’s move doesn’t impact.
"Red Bull is a great racing team but I think Fernando has got what he wants to do in the back of his mind. Never say never, but I don’t think it changes anything in Fernando’s world."
Fergal Walsh
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