Webber: Renault move has to work for Ricciardo

Renault confirming Ricciardo as their driver for 2019 during the summer break came as a huge shock top the F1 paddock. The Australian is taking a big gamble on his future by aligning with the French team as the energy drinks begin a new era with Honda.

Ricciardo clearly gambled that Renault would get their act together, but so far this season they have disappointed and their team chief Cyril Abiteboul admits they have taken a step back.

Webber rates Ricciardo highly, and speaking to Fairfax Media he said hopes that the 29-year-old has made the right call, "He's absolutely world class, we know that, he's top notch, he is one of the best on Sundays, there's no question about it."

"Let's see. I hope it's an inspired decision, we'll all have to sit back and watch, but the move is under a little bit of heat, it has to work for him."

The reality is that he is leaving a team with recent winning pedigree, versus one which with a past legacy of winning but a dismal recent record. Not surprising that many believe it is a step back.

"He knows in the short term it's going to be," insisted Webber. "He'll be behind Red Bull next year. He's banking on the long term there. That's the concern."

The Australian, who spent seven seasons with Red Bull, knows how the team operates and believes that the balance of power shifted to Max Verstappen within the team, a fact that irked Ricciardo who went on to ink a lucrative deal, but an uncertain one.

Webber sees the positives, "That's what you've got to do sometimes, you've got to be one step back, two steps forward. He has to be realistic about what's possible there and find out what he can realistically do with the time he's got left.

"He's got a lot of time left... but we all would like to see him in a more competitive situation than he's going to be in in the next two years," reasoned the nine-time grand prix winner.