Webber fears Ricciardo will 'fall out of love' with F1

  • Published on 05 Nov 2018 10:55
  • comments 6
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Mark Webber admits that he has concerns over the future of Daniel Ricciardo, who will leave Red Bull at the end of the year to join Renault. The seven-time Grand Prix winner made his announcement over the summer break when it was expected he would sign an extension with the energy drink squad.

Webber, who raced for Red Bull for seven seasons, fears that the move will impact Ricciardo's passion for the sport. After rejoining the grid in 2016. Renault is resurging back towards the front of the grid, but remain a long way off front-runners Mercedes and Ferrari.

“I think it’s quite obvious he can’t wait for the season to be over, which is a little bit of a concern," Webber told the Herald Sun. “I don’t want him to fall out of love with the sport. I just think that really tests your mettle. He’ll be questioning the sport in his head. There’s not too many people to put an arm around your shoulder. Only the tough survive and he knows that.”

Ricciardo has had a tough 2018 season, despite picking up two wins. However, his victories have been his only trips to the podium this year and he has been badgered by retirements, with the latest one coming last time out in Mexico.

Renault is yet to record a podium finish since returning as a works team. It bagged its best finish in its current stint as a manufacturer this year at Azerbaijan and Germany, where Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg crossed the line in fifth place respectively.

"He’s got to buckle up and keep going if he wants to bounce back with Renault next year," Webber added. "He’s made his bed over there with Renault, which I think is a weird decision, but that’s what he wants to do because he wants a change of environment. But it really can test how much he actually is enjoying the sport.”

boudy

Posts: 1,168

He's a great guy and a credit to all Aussies out there. Lets hope that he lucked into the Renault being an decent car. Those Renault powered cars have suffered way too many failures over the last couple of years. I would love to see him smiling again.

  • 2
  • Nov 5 2018 - 13:01

Replies (6)

Login to reply
  • Olfacius

    Posts: 31

    I really hope that Renault are on the way up in the standings and than Daniel can maintain a high level of enthusiasm.
    With Ham and Merc taking out this year's championships and the magic smoke escaping from Daniel's wagon time and time again, 2018's over and I want to see what 2019 has in store.
    Fingers crossed. ..

    • + 0
    • Nov 5 2018 - 12:13
    • boudy

      Posts: 1,168

      He's a great guy and a credit to all Aussies out there. Lets hope that he lucked into the Renault being an decent car. Those Renault powered cars have suffered way too many failures over the last couple of years. I would love to see him smiling again.

      • + 2
      • Nov 5 2018 - 13:01
    • Its going to be a true test of character. I would like to see him, extract maximum results out of that package, and work with the team to develop it further. Any whining, and complaining would fail him as a top rated.

      • + 0
      • Nov 5 2018 - 13:50
    • Ric is a real asset to any team. A competent driver, a marketable racer and he really seem like the kinda fella you wanna grab a pint with.

      • + 0
      • Nov 5 2018 - 19:06
  • Im really curious of Hulk vs Ric. Hell, Im really really curious for 2019 as a whole. The mere thought of it fills my heart with rainbows.

    • + 0
    • Nov 5 2018 - 17:45
    • boudy

      Posts: 1,168

      Indeed next year could be an absolute cracker. Honda with Redbull, leclerc in Ferrari, Kimi in Sauber, Ham vs Verstappen vs Vettel. Definitely exciting can't wait to see the winter testing. That darn wait in between seasons.

      • + 0
      • Nov 5 2018 - 23:07

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 06:34

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 06:34

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,061
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar