Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul is disappointed by the performance of driver Daniel Ricciardo, who retired in his first race for the French team, as Abiteboul expected more from the seven-time Grand Prix winner.

Ricciardo made the controversial switch from Red Bull Racing to Renault after the 2018 season, a move which was widely regarded as a step down.

In Australia, Danny Ric's home Grand Prix, he finished behind new teammate Nico Hülkenberg in qualifying in P12. At the start of the race, the Aussie then went onto the grass at the start of the race and blew his front wing clean off, immediately ruining his chances of getting a result.

"To be honest, I can't say that Daniel gave what is expected of him, from a driver who won races, at least after this weekend that was the first with us," Abiteboul told Motorsport.

"It was a weekend mainly composed of bass, apart from a few flashes of excellent performance from him and the car in free practice. But in free practice, we know, there is nothing at stake and nothing matters".

"We all have to do better. As always we say it's a learning curve. When you change drivers, you have to take a few steps back before stepping forward. Here's what's happening to us."