Horner: Ricciardo was a factor in Vettel leaving

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has stoked the fire after suggesting that Daniel Ricciardo played a part in Sebastian Vettel’s decision to leave the team.

Vettel announced he was leaving Red Bull to join Ferrari next season, after five years and four world championships. However, he was soundly beaten by his new team-mate Ricciardo in 2014.

Horner believes that Ricciardo’s form, which saw him three races, was “probably a factor” in Vettel leaving and also cites the Australian overtaking Vettel in Monza as a turning point.

He told BBC Sport: “He (Vettel) was enormously frustrated after that grand prix (Italy).

“It was at a time where after the summer break, knowing Sebastian as well as I do, I could see he was very distracted and it was obvious something was at the back of his mind.

Vettel VS Ricciardo

“And I think Ferrari were courting him quite hard and around Spa/Monza was the time he made his decision to do something different next year.”

Horner did insist that Vettel was not running away, as has been suggested in some newspapers.

He added: “The timing was right for Sebastian. He’d had a great run with us, he’d been with Red Bull since he was 12 years of age.

“The lure of Ferrari for any driver is immensely powerful.”

Vettel will partner Kimi Raikkonen next season.

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