Ricciardo understands "transfer games" after Mercedes interest

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed that he was confused at first, but started to understand "transfer games" that happen on the F1 grid, especially after interest from Mercedes.

It was the first time in the Aussie's career that he was at the centre of transfer speculation; with Ricciardo eventually shocking everyone and announcing his move from Red Bull Racing to Renault for the 2019 season.

Ricciardo revealed that Mercedes spoke with him about the possibility of signing him for 2019; in which you can only assume was to replace the misfiring Valtteri Bottas, rather than world champion, Lewis Hamilton.

"I knew it would take time to feel each other, but around June/July we had spoken a few times and we actually did not get anywhere, then I had something like that: if you really want me then you have to tell them," Ricciardo reflected to ESPN.

"At one point, you just want a black-and-white answer, and I do not even know if they really were games, but they kept on turning around a bit."

Ricciardo admitted that the period of "games" regarding his future was informative and he learned a lot around the politics that occur in F1 nowadays.

"I will learn all these things and I am sure that there will be a moment in my career when I have to go through the whole process again, so I do not regret it, but see it more as a learning process," Ricciardo continued. 

"On the one hand, you had teams that really wanted me, and on the other hand there were teams like Mercedes who put a bit in the door, but did not persevere, which at times was quite confusing to me."