Ricciardo lied to us, says team

RED Bull is turning on Daniel Ricciardo after the Australian Formula One ace’s imminent switch to Renault.

Red Bull powerbroker Helmut Marko has accused Ricciardo (pictured) of misleading the organisation about his future. Marko says he thought Ricciardo was assured of signing with Red Bull after July’s Hungarian Grand Prix until announcing his surprise switch to Renault from next year. Marko has called it a “very strange situation”.

“In Hungary, he told Mr [Red Bull owner, Dietrich] Mateschitz and me that he was OK with everything and that he was going to sign during the test on Tuesday. But he didn’t,” Marko told Austrian TV station Servus. “On Thursday, he then called and told me he was going to Renault. I can only assume maybe he doesn’t believe in the Honda project or that Renault offered him a lot of money.”

But ESPN is reporting that a source close to Ricciardo has refuted Marko’s claims, saying a deal was put forward and an agreement was close, but he never accepted a new contract from Red Bull.

Ricciardo has endured a mixed season, highlighted by memorable wins in China and Monaco, but has been forced to retire in four of the 12 races. The 29-year-old sits fifth in the championship standings as Mercedes superstar Lewis Hamilton closes in on a fifth title.

This weekend’s Belgium Grand Prix will be the first race since Ricciardo announced his intentions for 2019. Ricciardo has a good record at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, winning at the track in 2014.