Daniel Ricciardo has revealed some of the odd Silly Season dealings that he was involved in as his services became available and how before he inked a deal with Renault, Mercedes were sniffing around as were McLaren.
Renault shocked the Formula 1 world by announcing last August that Daniel would kit up and yellow and black next year, ending his long association with Red Bull and taking a career risk among risks in the process.
Red Bull had opted for Max Verstappen earlier than the Aussie anticipated. then confirmed the gamble with Honda power for 2019 and beyond. Ricciardo got cold feet and instead inked a two year big bucks deal with the French team.
Valterri Bottas' seat at Mercedes has always had something of a question mark over it and Ricciardo revealed to ESPN how he nearly ended up in silver, "I knew talks would take a bit of time probably and again, trying to feel each other out, but it got to June/July and maybe we had spoken a few times and we hadn't really got anywhere, so if you want me tell me otherwise, I will move on -- that's cool.
"I guess it gets to the point like that with everyone where you want a black or white answer and that's it. I guess the games can wear a little thin."
"I don't even know if it's games, but circling around the edges, it's like -- just go straight in! But these are all things I will learn, and I am sure there will be another time in my career where I will need to go through this process again. I am sure there's things I will do differently. I don't necessarily have any regrets, it's all just a learning process."
Many expected Ricciardo to stay, and when he mentioned to Christian Horner he was Vichy bound the Red Bull team chief thought he was joking.
The Australian recalled, "Look, part of it was fun for sure, and part of it was exciting having these little meetings. I guess it was all new to me. I guess just hearing them out and before a meeting, maybe like: Oh, what's going to get talked about and how deep is it going to go. The process and all that was exciting for sure.
"I guess on one hand I had teams that really wanted me, and then on the other there were teams that were kind of half a foot in the door but not really... so Mercedes and that. At times it was confusing for sure, and obviously, you're trying to figure out what is real and what isn't, who's genuine and who is not."
"Again, that was exciting, but it does keep the mind ticking a little bit," added Ricciardo who also piqued the interest of McLaren.
https://www.grandprix247.com/2018/06/21/marko-mclaren-offers-ricciardo-more-money-every-week/
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