Hamilton talking Ricciardo out of Mercedes move?

Lewis Hamilton appeared to try and talk Daniel Ricciardo out of a move to Mercedes after the Red Bull driver's dominant victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. Ricciardo left Monte Carlo with a first win from pole, further strengthening his hand in upcoming contract negotiations.

Hamilton and Ricciardo are both out of contract at the end of the year, with the Mercedes man's team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen also unsure of their futures.

Ricciardo is reportedly of interest to both Mercedes and Ferrari - Silver Arrows team boss Toto Wolff has confirmed that a move for the Australian is something they would consider.

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Hamilton largely enjoys number-one status at the team alongside Bottas, a stark change from his tempestuous time alongside Nico Rosberg, and his suggestion that Ricciardo's move to Mercedes won't happen perhaps comes with an underlying message to his bosses.

"There is only Ferrari and Mercedes [Ricciardo] could consider - but it is unlikely he is coming here," Hamilton is quoted by BBC Sport.

"I don't think that is going to happen. He is one of the top drivers and so I am sure there will be offers.

"At Ferrari I would imagine Kimi is going to want to continue and why not? He is driving really well this year and he doesn't seem to be ageing. So I am sure he will go for a little longer.

"At the moment, [Ricciardo] is pretty much the lead driver in that team so it's not a bad place to be.

"If at some stage Red Bull get an engine [closer in performance to Mercedes and Ferrari], they are going to be even closer to us. They could win many more races and he just has to keep his head down and keep doing what he's doing and he should have his options ready."

Hamilton completed the podium in Monaco, with Sebastian Vettel finishing second after failing to take advantage of Ricciardo's loss of power over nearly 50 laps in Monte Carlo.