Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo at Renault a shame - Hakkinen

Matthew Scott Tuesday 24 December 2019 18:00

Daniel Ricciardo may begin to doubt his own abilities if Renault continue to deliver cars which do not match his obvious race-winning potential, according to former world champion Mika Hakkinen.

Ricciardo made the shock switch from Red Bull to Renault in 2019, having grown frustrated with his former team's inability to close the gap to Mercedes in the hunt for titles.

Max Verstappen delivered his best F1 to date as Red Bull ditched Renault as an engine supplier for Honda, securing career-high totals for race wins, poles and points in 2019 as he broke into the top three of the drivers' championship for the first time.

By contrast, Ricciardo failed to make the podium across a season for the first time since his Toro Rosso days.

While Ricciardo remains confident that Renault will be in the title picture by 2021, Hakkinen says the Australian's form may be impacted if the French squad cannot improve sufficiently.

"I think it's a shame to see him in a place where he can't win," Hakkinen told Unibet.

"If you come from a winning position and you start in a team that loses, that is frustrating.

"Ricciardo is a very positive boy but you have to avoid doubting yourself. That nothing is wrong with his qualities but that it is wrong with the car."

Ricciardo finished ninth in the world drivers' championship in 2019, securing a career-best finish of fourth place at the Italian GP.

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Ricciardo at Renault a shame - Hakkinen

Ricciardo at Renault a shame - Hakkinen