Renault were left “scratching heads” after poor performances

Ricciardo made the surprising swap from Aston Martin Red Bull Racing to the French team for 2019, wanting a new challenge with a team that has been open about its ambitions to reach the front of the grid since their return in 2016.

Renault’s progress had been evident as they claimed fourth in 2018 but couldn’t back it up this year as they finished behind McLaren, struggling to match the same performances.

"I expected lows, and I think in any team you expect some lows because even if Mercedes is used to winning, then a fourth place is a low for them,” Ricciardo said as quoted by Motorsport.com.

"The high was kind of in line – a top-five, whatever I knew was there. But the lows at times we were like scratching our heads. Like, 'we shouldn't be this far down'.

"We're not going to be a top-five car maybe every race, but to be running P14 or something, we thought we were done with this.

"So that was where there was a bit more, I guess, head-scratching and the reality of still we've got a lot of work to do."

Renault have targeted to at least achieve a podium in 2020 with Ricciardo and new driver Esteban Ocon who replaced Nico Hulkenberg.