Renault reveal alternative options if Ricciardo would've declined

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has revealed the alternative drivers the team would've gone for if Daniel Ricciardo would've opted not to sign in 2019.

In an in-depth interview with Crash.net's Luke Smith, Abiteboul revealed what other avenues Renault would have explored if it weren't for the Aussie committing.

"Obviously we had also to prepare," the Frenchman explained when talking about the scenario if Ricciardo would've declined the move.

"We had to have alternative options.

"But if you look at the three options that we had, I must say, doing more years with Carlos [Sainz Jr.], going with Esteban [Ocon], or Daniel, all three options were all very valid, and would almost have been equally satisfied with all three options.

"Obviously Daniel has a bit of ‘wow’ effect, because it was not really what people were expecting.

"But we are not choosing our drivers just to create a wow effect for one day.

"The wow effect will come if we are capable of winning races together in the next two years."

Many people doubt that last fact, including Ricciardo himself. The Aussie doesn't expect to be contending for titles in the first year, let alone win races. Even though he's 29, he accepts that it will take a few years for Renault to get on the level to compete for silverware, but he'll be there in case it does happen.