F1 News
Ricciardo was close to signing for Ferrari: "Almost certain that there was a deal"
Daniel Ricciardo started life outside of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing with a disappointing season. The Renault driver's closest run to a podium was the Italian Grand Prix where he finished fourth. That result was significant in securing a top 10 finish in the F1 world championship.
Jack Plooij, a dutch sports reporter for Ziggo Sport, insists the Australian should have foreseen Renault's poor performance: "The moment you sign there, you almost know it can't go well, but he was disappointed and the number two in the team. He didn't want that."
Ricciardo in talks with Ferrari
Plooij goes on to present an interesting story. "I am almost certain that his lawyer had a deal with Ferrari. There was a signature under something before he went to Renault. And whether it was cancelled because of Charles Leclerc's perform or what, that I don't know, but in the end Daniel Ricciardo is in Formula 1 to drive at Ferrari," said the journalist, who says he no longer expects the Australian to ever drive the red car in the royal class of motorsport.
In the end, Ferrari's signing of Leclerc turned out to be rather successful. The young man from Monaco secured seven pole positions, two race wins and ten podiums. He managed to beat his four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel.