F1 - Ricciardo Does The Unexpected - Alonso Does The Expected.

Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing, AGP. (C)

    Inspired, astute, shrewd, questionable, contentious or controversial. Where does your opinion lie? From a Red Bull Racing perspective, a contract renewal was imminent. After all, what better options were there? Demands were met, including a 1 year deal adhered to in case F1's big hitters came calling. He even recorded a video announcing his own resigning.
    Astonishingly during F1's traditional summer break, it became apparent that Red Bull does indeed "Give You Wings." Australian Daniel Ricciardo shocked everyone by announcing he's signed for Renault for 2019.  Was it the unknown entity of the Honda power units propelling Red Bull next year? Was it the money? Was it not being afforded the opportunity to win because of the Max factor? Ricciardo states that it was time for a fresh challenge. Perhaps Ricciardo knows more than we think. Recently Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey was questioned as to whether Renault had made him an offer. He would neither confirm or deny. 
    Renault are no doubt on the ascendancy. Since re-entering F1 as a full works team, they've invested and expanded and are currently the fourth best team. But can they provide Ricciardo with a championship challenging machine? How will they handle the regulation changes in a couple of years? Is Renault the team that Ricciardo can galvanise around him? Remember the last time an Australian didn't sign with Renault. They came out and won the 2005 season opening Australian GP and stopped the Ferrari juggernaut by winning the 2005 championship....

    Is Formula One unfinished business for Fernando Alonso? The two time world champion has started over 300 Grands Prix, won 32 and stood on the podium 97 times. The summer break saw Alonso announce what we all were unfortunately expecting. He is leaving F1 for other motorsport challenges. In his quest to become a more complete driver, he's dovetailed this season with the World Endurance Championship which he currently leads. The triple crown, that is, Monaco GP, Le Mans 24 Hour and Indianapolis 500 is something that he's expressed desire to capture. Having already won Monaco and Le Mans, and sampled the Indy, it is expected that he'll announce a full tilt attack on next year's Indycar championship with implied intent on winning the Indy 500.
    Still considered by many to be the best driver in F1, he's often outspoken and not afraid to express his opinions. Despite having driven for the best teams, but maybe not always at the best time, Alonso has always extracted the best from his car. He was careful however, not to use the dreaded retirement word, leaving the door ajar for a possible return. 
    Let's hope F1 is unfinished business for Fernando Alonso, because it feels like it is for us fans.
    Chao "El Nano."

---

Fernando Alonso, McLaren, AGP, (C)