DANIEL Ricciardo could be set for an awkward arrival at Renault after Christian Horner claimed the Australian doesn’t blame Red Bull for his recent engine woes.

The Red Bull team principal insisted Ricciardo is “totally cool” with his soon-to-be former employers, despite having his season derailed by reliability issues.

His latest misfortune came on Saturday when he was eliminated from the second period of qualifying without setting a time after suffering an issue with his Renault power unit.

Horner said Ricciardo accepts Red Bull isn’t to blame for the Renault power issues, which have forced him to retire twice since announcing his departure.

“He’s driven a great Grand Prix again today, we just want to see him start from a proper place on the grid,” Horner told Sky F1 after Ricciardo climbed from 15th to finish fourth at the Japanese Grand Prix.

“His problems are nothing to do with that (new parts). The problems he is having are engine problems. It was an engine problem yesterday.

“The team picks up the flak for it but the reality is he’s totally cool with Red Bull. It’s not a Red Bull issue. He knows that.”

Former world champion and Sky F1 presenter Damon Hill then said to Horner: “But it’s a Renault engine.”

“Well said,” Horner replied.

When asked if Red Bull has recently discussed Ricciardo’s power issues with his future team, Horner said: “He (Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul) doesn’t talk to us anymore.”

Ricciardo shocked the motorsport world in August when he announced he would be leaving Red Bull in 2019 for Renault on a two-year deal.

Since then, his results have been: DNF, DNF, sixth, sixth, and fourth.

His last two qualifying positions have been 12th and 15th, however, he has gained a total of 17 positions in the last two races.

But Ricciardo is still without a podium finish in 11 races - the longest drought of his Red Bull career.

Horner said the team is eager to break the drought, and allow Ricciardo to finish his nine-year affiliation with the energy drink outfit on a positive note.

“We want to finish the relationship as high as we can. We want to attack these remaining races,” Horner said.

“We’d love to get another victory, particularly with Daniel, between now and the end of the season.”

Ricciardo - after “blowing out” his vocals in rage on Saturday - was back to his smiling self on Sunday after a driver-of-the-day performance.

“I thought it would be a fairytale result to come back with a podium but... close, close. I’ll take the fourth today but I feel a podium is not far [off],” Ricciardo said.