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Mark Webber: Ricciardo's move to Renault will test his love of F1

Mark Webber: Ricciardo's move to Renault "will test his love of F1"

04-11-2018 12:58
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Former F1 driver and fellow Aussie Mark Webber has said that Daniel Ricciardo's move to Renault will question his love for Formula 1, as he won't be competing on the same level as he did at Red Bull Racing, where he spent the last five seasons of his career.

Ricciardo has won two races this season, the latest being back in Monaco, but his season has been forgettable other than that. His most recent race in Mexico was a heartbreaking one, as his car once again gave up on him in the final stages in the race, when he was in second place after getting pole position the day before. 

After the race, the 29-year-old looked defeated and angry, saying that he didn't want to drive the rest of the season any more. While he has backtracked on those comments since then, Webber sees this as a concern heading into next season.

"I think it’s quite obvious he can’t wait for the season to be over, which is a little bit of a concern," Webber told Australian news publication The West.

"I don’t want him to fall out of love with the sport."

Ricciardo has not finished a Grand Prix eight times this season, significantly more than any other driver. Six of those eight DNF's were purely mechanical, which is the toughest thing mentally for a driver, as you're utterly helpless.

“I just think that really tests your mettle," Webber explained.

"He’ll be questioning the sport in his head. There’s not too many people to put an arm around your shoulder. Only the tough survive and he knows that.

“He’s got to buckle up and keep going if he wants to bounce back with Renault next year. He’s made his bed over there with Renault, which I think is a weird decision, but that’s what he wants to do because he wants a change of environment.

“But it really can test how much he actually is enjoying the sport."