It's fair to say that most were convinced that Daniel Ricciardo would be remaining with Red Bull for 2019 and 2020, indeed, in addition to murmurs that the Australian had already agreed a deal, reliable sources in Australia close to the driver suggested the contract had already been signed.

Then, at 12:07 on Friday 3rd August, as the summer break got underway, Red Bull issued a brief statement that the Australian was to leave the team at the end of the season. 51 minutes later, clearly caught on the hop, Renault confirmed that Ricciardo would be partnering Nico Hulkenberg, thereby filling a significant portion of the 2019 jigsaw while killing off Esteban Ocon's hopes of a move to the French outfit.

Speaking to Austrian broadcaster Servus TV, Helmut Marko reveals that he was as shocked as anyone.

"I don't understand it," he admitted. "It was a very strange situation. The negotiations were difficult but on Wednesday before the Austrian Grand Prix we were talking for two hours and came to an agreement. During the weekend, we were talking and renegotiating again.

"In Hungary, he told Mr Mateschitz and me that he was OK with everything and that he was going to sign during the test on Tuesday," he continued. "But he didn't. On Thursday, he called and told me he was going to Renault.

"I can only assume that maybe he doesn't believe in the Honda project or that Renault offered him a lot of money," added the Austrian.

"Including his time in the junior programme, he has been with Red Bull for ten years," he said of the Australian. "He said he needed a change of surroundings. I can understand that, but it's a pity because he is one of the strongest drivers. His overtakes are great. They come out of nowhere and sometimes his opponents don't even realise they are being overtaken."

Convinced that Red Bull, with the aid of its new partner Honda, will be far ahead of Renault, referring to Ricciardo's traditional podium celebration, Marko concluded: "It will be difficult to have more shoeys in the future."

Time will tell.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ESTMPRFT, 22/08/2018 19:42

"I don't believe it was solely the Honda project or that Renault offered him a lot of money - Red Bull (Sh**) Management, and unjustifiably and obviously having to play second fiddle in every way to Maximus just may have played a more major role."

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2. Posted by stackvideo, 22/08/2018 1:17

""Marko baffled by Ricciardo's switch" There's millions of fans who are't baffled Marko, get your head out of the sand
"

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3. Posted by Batman, 21/08/2018 23:04

"I must admit that I really love to see a team slapped in the face by a driver. Perhaps the shaking caused by Daniel's slap can revitalize Mr. Marko's ocular accuracy in the future. Mr. Marko knows a lot but he doesn't know everything. I don't forget what Monisha Kaltenborn and Sauber have done to Giedo Van der Garde."

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4. Posted by Editor, 21/08/2018 18:25

"@ Burton,

If Daniel had been Daniella the BBC would have been all over it..."

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5. Posted by Burton, 21/08/2018 18:05

"The only baffling thing is how they had him on less than half of Verstappen's wages and still took him for granted."

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6. Posted by jcr, 21/08/2018 15:49

"I honestly thought that Nico,s retirement would be the NewsFlash of the decade, but I have to say Daniel has come a mighty second. Nico realised he would never be part of Hamiltons Team, ask the current "wing man".
So He took his championship and walked.
Even now the Wolff Family dont recognise that Nico is still a World Champion !!
The same culture lives in Red Bull, and We all could see the lean towards Max, The same as Vettal V Webber.
And the way they are digging up past shit, only proves they are bad losers."

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7. Posted by Yeyox02, 21/08/2018 15:21

"A soup of their own chocolate."

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8. Posted by Peter Rickitt, 21/08/2018 14:50

"Sour grapes from a sourface, whose clear favourism of Verstappen was the reason for Ricciardo's departure.
What an unpleasant and self-satisfied duo are he and Mateschitz - I trust Daniel will stuff them. "

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9. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 21/08/2018 12:34

"The reason he left will come out in time, cannot believe it was the money aspect."

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Marko baffled by Ricciardo's switch

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