Ricciardo's Renault switch pushes Sainz towards McLaren Formula One Verstappen has vetoed his move to Red Bull

The domino effect in Formula 1 is well and truly underway after Daniel Ricciardo's shock move to Renault.

Joining on a two-year deal, the Aussie's move marks a real coup for team boss Cyril Abiteboul with Red Bull refusing to agree to their driver's demands of a one-year contract.

Ricciardo had seemed set to stick with the Anglo-Austrian team but decided at the last minute to take the gamble due to Max Verstappen's prominence and presumed favouritism under Red Bull chiefs Helmut Marko and Christian Horner.

As such, he will be on less money at Renault and start 2019 as the number one driver, ahead of Nico Hulkenberg.

Many knock-on effects are due to follow from this but the immediate case is that of Carlos Sainz, who is officially without a seat next season.

Red Bull have the Spaniard under contract until September 30 and yet won't take up the option to sign him, due to Max Verstappen's veto on a driver who the Dutchman considers to be a threat to his status in the team.

Pierre Gasly would therefore be the favourite to land the Red Bull seat, although Esteban Ocon cannot be ruled out. More on him in a bit.

With Sainz, talks are already advanced for him to swap yellow for orange and sign for McLaren. Fernando Alonso's future remains a separate issue with Stoffel Vandoorne the one Sainz would theoretically replace.

The partnership between Abiteboul and McLaren seems to be progressing ever closer, now that Red Bull have jumped away from the French manufacturer to pick up Honda engines from next season onwards.

Finally, Ricciardo's move leaves Ocon out of the Renault drive that Toto Wolff and the Frenchman's father had assured was his.

The option of staying with Force India is now back on the table amid their own ownership crisis talks, whereas a spot at Toro Rosso could also come into view.

A part of the Mercedes programme, Ocon suddenly finds himself fighting with the likes of George Russell to snap up one of the few seats going in F1, with plenty more movements expected in the summer break and beyond.