Autosport Plus

The apparent biggest loser in Vettel's Ferrari divorce

Following Sebastian Vettel's departure from Ferrari, F1 faced a flurry of signings this week. Just as the game of musical chairs has its winners, it must also have its losers - and Daniel Ricciardo's departure leaves Renault with a big hole to fill in 2021...

"Daniel's signing underscores our determination to accelerate our progress towards the forefront of the sport. It is also a recognition of the work accomplished over the past two and a half seasons. Daniel's undoubted talent and charisma are a huge bonus and statement for the team. We will have to repay his faith in us by delivering the best car possible."

Renault Formula 1 team boss Cyril Abiteboul stated those words about Daniel Ricciardo's signing from Red Bull 21 months ago. That's not even two years.

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.