Tom Coronel: “Ricciardo left because he could not beat Verstappen"

Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel commented on Daniel Ricciardo's departure from Red Bull. Coronel feels like the climate at Red Bull caused Ricciardo to leave.

The Australian will begin the season in front of his home fans this coming weekend. The race will also mark his first Grand Prix inside a Renault.

Coronel believes Ricciardo left Red Bull because he didn't get an equal salary to that of his teammate Max Verstappen.

“Ricciardo left because he could not beat Verstappen. I saw that he lost number one status at Red Bull," Coronel told SLAM radio station.

Toto Wolff confirmed earlier, he and his Mercedes team had been interested in bringing in Ricciardo's talents but decided to stick with Valtteri Bottas after the Finn improved his results.