03/08/2018
NEWS STORY
In the wake of unconfirmed reports in the tabloid media that the Australian has agreed to join Renault, Red Bull subsequently issued a brief statement confirming that Ricciardo is to leave the team at the end of the year.
"Daniel Ricciardo has advised Aston Martin Red Bull Racing that he is to leave the Team at the end of the 2018 season," read the statement.
"Having joined the Red Bull family in 2008 as a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, with whom he won numerous junior titles, Daniel made his F1 debut in 2011 at the British Grand Prix. After two seasons with Scuderia Toro Rosso, Daniel joined us in 2014 and to date has brought the team seven victories, 29 podium finishes, two pole positions and 904 championship points," it added.
"We fully respect Daniel's decision to leave Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and we wish him all the best in his future," said Christian Horner. "We would like to thank him for his dedication and the role he has played since joining the Team in 2014, the highlights of course being the seven wins and the 29 podiums he has achieved so far with us.
"We will now continue to evaluate the numerous options available to us before deciding on which driver partners Max Verstappen for the 2019 season. In the meantime, there are still nine races left in 2018 and we are fully focused on maximising every opportunity for Max and Daniel for the remainder of the season."
Thus far, Renault has yet to react.