Felipe Massa says he can understand why Daniel Ricciardo decided to quit Red Bull.
Ricciardo, one of F1's top drivers, is leaving the top three team at the end of the year to join the works Renault project.
Some think the Australian is moving solely for money, and his current boss Christian Horner suspects he might come to regret the decision.
But former F1 driver Massa says he understands.
"Daniel, like the rest of us, doesn't know what will happen with the Honda engines next year," he told Globo.
"He is also not very happy with Max Verstappen. It's a risk, and it may or may not work out."
Meanwhile, Red Bull chief Horner said Fernando Alonso will not be replacing Ricciardo in 2019 because of the "chaos" he brings to F1 teams.
On Twitter, Spaniard Alonso reacted with multiple 'laughing' emojis, and a hashtag that included the words 'Nothanks'.
Massa understands Ricciardo's Renault move
- Published on 10 Aug 2018 12:25
-
3
- By: Jeroen Jonkers
Trending news
-
Verstappen Makes His Choice: Fifth Title Over Le Mans Victory Every Time
Max Verstappen has been spending considerable time at the Nurburgring lately, and his passion for endurance racing is...
22 Apr 2026 18:25 -
Leclerc Says He Can Win the World Championship With Ferrari This Season
Charles Leclerc is not being cautious about his ambitions. After two podiums in the first three races and third place...
22 Apr 2026 17:23 -
Norris Reveals He Struggled With Mental Problems During His Title-Winning Season
Lando Norris has spoken openly about a period of real self-doubt during his world championship season, the year he he...
22 Apr 2026 16:21 -
Hill Says Hamilton Has Accepted the End Is Approaching: "The Things That Used to Come Naturally No Longer Work the Same Way"
Lewis Hamilton is back on the podium and back in the conversation at Ferrari, but Damon Hill sees something different...
22 Apr 2026 15:18 -
The Rule Changes May Actually Benefit Antonelli More Than Anyone Else
When Formula 1 announced its regulatory tweaks for Miami, most observers assumed the target was slowing Mercedes down...
22 Apr 2026 14:17
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
World Championship standings 2026
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Driver profile
- Team Red Bull Racing
- Points 3,457
- Podiums 127
- Grand Prix 236
- Country NL
- Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
- Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
- Weight 70 kg
- Length 1.8 m
827,159 comments on Red Bull Racing
982 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
Team profile
- Team name Renault
- Base Enstone, France
- Fernando Alonso 1
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Jenson Button 15
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
236,937 comments on Renault
26 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Renault

Replies (3)
Login to replymichielhimself
Posts: 132
Yes, it's the same reason why Massa went to Williams, he just didn't know what would happen to the Ferrari engines the next year. Mercedes power was a much more sensible choice.
kngrthr
Posts: 203
honda will be quick next year but will break a lot.
eventually they will get it right.
meanwhile danny ric has made a clean break and i suspect he will use it as a stepping stone to ferrari.
he won't win the championship with Renault next year but he won't with red bull either.
if Renault come good in the next two seasons , he will reap the rewards, if not he will be ideally placed to move to a top team when those seats become free.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Not sure if it's a stepping stone to anywhere. I think he's betting on Renault improving to being an championship contender. I think its a good move all round. Even Redbull will come to see positives out of this move, i like change. The current crop of drivers at the top are too static and too save; no one is willing to take any risks.