Ricciardo explains F1 podium tattoo bet with Renault boss

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed he and Renault Formula 1 boss Cyril Abiteboul have a bet that would see the pair get matching tattoos if he scores a podium this season.

Ricciardo is yet to score a podium so far for the team but finished fourth at this year’s British Grand Prix to match his best Renault result to date. After the first of two races held at Silverstone, the Australian joked over team radio that he was just one position shy of matching the podium needed to fulfil their bet.

But if Ricciardo can go one better and secure Renault’s first podium as a works outfit since 2011 before he departs for McLaren at the end of the year, the duo will get matching tattoos.

"It is a bit foggy, but I do remember it was I believe he chooses placement and size, but I choose the design," Ricciardo said on Thursday ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

“We’ll clear that up but it is a tattoo, and he does not have any, so it is a big deal for Cyril.

"I think it will be something spontaneous, spur of the moment. It has to be something funny, when he looks at it, he shakes his head and goes 'ah, remember those times'. One of those ones.”

Ricciardo’s last podium in F1 came during the 2018 season when he raced for Red Bull, prior to his switch to Enstone for the following campaign.

Asked if he would be disappointed not to get a podium in 2020, Ricciardo replied: "I would be lying if I said no.

"It is more if the opportunity presents itself and we miss out on that. For sure I would be disappointed. But if I race every race my hardest and I'm finishing sixth every race because of that, then I probably am not going to be devastated.

"But I do want to stand back up there and be delivered a trophy on a robot or whatever they are doing now. I miss that, and I'll probably get a fine for drinking out of my shoe, but it will be worth it!”