Webber worried for Ricciardo's F1 career
Daniel Ricciardo's career is at risk of losing momentum.
That is the warning of his Australian countryman Mark Webber, who even before the start of the season questioned whether quitting Red Bull was the right move for Ricciardo.
And after four races in 2019, Webber said it is now clear that Renault has a lot of work to do to be competitive.
"Daniel hasn't forgotten how to drive, but the form guide changes very quickly in this sport," Webber told Australia's Nine Network.
"Every few months, if the performances aren't there, other managers and agents and young drivers are trying to muscle in. The sport moves on so fast," he added.
Webber, who retired from F1 at the end of 2013, said Renault is under "tremendous pressure" because the performance so far this year "doesn't back up the chat".
"Renault were saying in the off-season they can challenge the top three, but they're a long way from that," he said.
However, Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul is putting on a brave face, even though amid a bad weekend in Baku, the team dropped to seventh in the constructors' standings.
"I think it's fair to say that it's not exactly the start of the season we were hoping to have, but I think it's also important to take a bit of distance from the emotions and the constant drama of Formula 1," said the Frenchman.
But Webber thinks the situation for Renault is indeed dramatic.
"They've got some reliability issues as well, McLaren are belting them with the same engine, which is not good," he said.
Webber said he doesn't relate to Ricciardo's decision to move from a truly top team like Red Bull to the deep midfield.
"I was in average teams for a long time and I never, ever wanted to feel that again, even though I had offers to continue when I left Red Bull," he said.
"I didn't want to know what that felt like again."
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I was a big fan of Mark Webber and yes he knows what he's talking about. but I believe Daniel Ricciardo will soon find his feet again, and with some good luck, will be in the points at the nwxt f1 race. go go Danny...
Yes agree on both counts. Renault are a factory team with history and something to prove. Daniel I'm sure will be providing them with valuable information on the changes that are required. This is not the time for panic - i recall the first year that Lewis Hamilton drove for Mercedes Benz. people (experts) were saying he made a mistake.
When Dan joined Renault he said it was a two year project - looks like it is playing out that way.
Alan Jones said it best. Its a win win for Ricciardo If they get it wrong over the next few years at least he is getting paid. And if Renault get hot and are top of the class again then he looks like a genius.
Dan is an integral part of Renaults resurgence in F1. A commitment to each other that will bear fruit as the season progresses into 2020.
Daniel said that he couldn't stay at Red Bull as he needed new motivation and Max was the golden kid for signing earlier and longer than him. It hasn't started well but they seem on the up overall.
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