[PapaofGags]

SKY gossip.

Renault 'weren't highest bidders' for Ricciardo.

Cyril Abiteboul says even though Renault weren't the highest bidder for Daniel Ricciardo's services next season, his signing has resulted in an increased budget at the team:
"Renault can afford pretty much anything," said Abiteboul.
"Renault is the largest car maker involved in Formula 1 - full stop. So we can afford anything as long as it makes sense. Then it's just a question of value for money and whether it makes sense to spend that given where we are in the development of our team. Second, I don't think we were the highest bidder in obtaining Daniel, without going into details.

"He bought into the project not necessarily because of the money. I don't think it would be great to put this sort of light on Daniel. And lastly, it would not make any sense to bring a driver by having to make some concession on our capacity to finance the development of the engine or the chassis. So, in shorthand, obviously it means an increase of our budget."