Ricciardo: What if Max becomes 2019 world champion?

Much has been written about how Max Verstappen managed to get the upper hand in the team in the latter half of this season and that management signalled their intent when, in October 2017, they inked a deal with the Dutchman which would keep him in blue until the end of 2020.

Ricciardo felt snubbed and despite coming close to re-signing with Red Bull opted instead to do a two-year deal with Renault. But that's old news.

In an interview with Racer Ricciardo has shed some new light on the matter that confirms Red Bull's gamble with Honda was also a decisive factor, "Part of the decision-making for me, I put myself in the mindset of: What if Honda and Red Bull kill it next year, and what if Max becomes world champion?"

And indeed he could should Adrian Newey craft another masterpiece and Honda finally get their act together to start saving face, which apparently provides motivation and raison de guerre for the troops in Japan.

Of course, it is not a given that Newey will deliver a rocket, the RB5 of 2009 a reminder that even geniuses have an off day or two at the office. However unlikely that might be, what is possible is that Honda still don't get it.

But assuming they do find the magic button and produce a winning package, Ricciardo is braced, “I had already played that through my head and become OK with it, or come to terms with it."

"I think at the end of the day, the way I saw it was one of the big things that led me back was I just felt like I needed change regardless."

"Even if the team kills it in 2019, I don’t know if I would be convinced that I would be getting everything out of it, if that makes sense. So I’ve come to terms with however it’s going to play out, and I believe regardless it’s the right thing for me.”

After his debut half season at HRT and his tenure with Toro Rosso, Ricciardo had a stellar first season with Red Bull, beating their four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel in 2014 before the German departed for Ferrari.

In retrospect, 100 races with the Bulls delivered 29 podiums, seven of which were for wins in 100 starts hardly rich pickings in the five seasons he was with the team.

Asked if he had any regrets as he looked back on his career with the energy drinks outfit, the Australian replied, “No, I wouldn’t say any regrets. Not at all, actually. I guess as well I never really had many other options anyway, so it’s not like I could have signed with Mercedes two years ago and I didn’t want to or whatever. So no regrets. I’m happy."

“I look at 2018 and 2015; there’s been some frustrating years for sure, but I’m always happy with the way I approach it. I don’t look back and say: Ah, if I would have worked harder then I wouldn’t be in this position and I would have made things better for myself."

"I don’t ever feel like I’ve cheated myself, and some of my best weekends have been when I’ve been more chilled about it and less intense. But I think I’ve found that balance, so no regrets," added Ricciaardo.