Renault’s managing director Cyril Abiteboul says capturing the signature of Daniel Ri🥀cciardo is evidence of his team’s rapid rise in Formula 1 and has set high targets ahead of the arrival of the Australian driver.

Ricciardo shocked F1 by confirming he will leave Re🥀d Bull at the end of the this season to join Renault having signed a two-year dꦛeal with the French manufacturer.

The Renault team boss is naturally thrilled to secure the seven-time F1 race winner’s services and feels he can help speed up the French manufacturer’s planned progress climbing the ꩲF1 ranks.

Renault returned to F1 as a fully-fledged manufacturer in 2016 and set out a long-term goal of battling for world championships. Last year Renault climbed to sixth place in the F1 world constructors’ st🔥andings and currently sits fourth in the teams’ championship heading into the summer break.

“Daniel’s signing u💯nderscores our determination to accelerate our progress towards the forefront of the sport,” Abiteboul said. “It is also a recognition of the work accomplished over the past two and a half seasons. Daniel’s undoubted talent and charisma are a huge bonus and statement for the team.”

Given the high-profile signing, Abiteboul has und⛦erlined the need to give Ricciardo a front-runn𒆙ing package in 2019.

“We will have to repay his faith in us by delivering the best-car possible,” he said. “We welcome him to our growin๊g team in 2019 with aꦐ great deal of pride, but also humility.”