Red Bull F1 boss reassured Ricciardo over Verstappen favouritism

Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reassured him he will have a fair fight with Max Verstappen in the 2018 Formula 1 season after favouritism concerns

Red Bull F1 boss reassured Ricciardo over Verstappen favouritism

Shortly before Verstappen penned a new deal to remain at Red Bull until the end of 2020, Horner had urged him to stay long term and build the team around him.

Verstappen also received an upgraded Renault engine earlier than Ricciardo in the final part of the season.

Ricciardo, whose current contract expires this year, said Horner took him aside to explain his remarks.

"That is not what you want to hear," Ricciardo told Autosport about what Horner had said.

"I didn't see it in the press but afterwards I found out about Christian's comment.

"It was because he actually came up to me and cleared it up.

"He said 'look, if you've seen the comments, it's not out of context but I didn't want it to come across that way'.

"He said 'please I don't want you to think anything like that. We're fighting for both of you'.

"Max got the updated engine in the last few races, that was the only thing that has ever been different.

"But I don't have any concern with it. If I did, I would have spoken up about it already."

Asked if he felt he would have everything around him to win the 2018 title if Red Bull built a quick enough car, Ricciardo replied: "I do. That's 100% honest."

Ricciardo said he accepted the explanation provided by Horner and is focused on doing the best job he can regardless of Verstappen.

"Even if the engine is a tenth quicker, the person in me says I've just got to drive two tenths better," he said.

"If I'm good enough, I'll beat him anyway! I'm confident.

"I acknowledge that I have to be perfect more often than not if I want to stay in front.

"My Sundays [in 2017] were as good as they've ever been for the most part. The racer in me is very confident and determined."

Ricciardo has said he will take time to make a decision on his future, with potential seats on offer at Mercedes and Ferrari in 2019.

Horner accepted that position, and made clear Red Bull wants to keep Ricciardo for the long term as well as Verstappen.

shares
comments

Cosworth interested in Aston Martin Formula 1 engine tie-up

Renault F1 team was 'almost 10 years' behind rivals after takeover

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1? What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
GP Racing

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries