Ricciardo’s future was the subject of speculation for the best part of a year after he opted against signing a new deal with Red Bull.

And in August he shocked the world of F1 by announcing he will leave them for Renault at the end of the current season.

Former GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi, who is friends with Ricciardo, has now lifted the lid on why the 29-year-old has quit Red Bull.

And he’s claimed the Aussie could no longer take being understudy to Max Verstappen, who he sits a place behind in the World Drivers’ Championship standings.