Ricciardo makes contract admission

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that he does not see himself driving in Formula One for an extended period into his mid-to-late 30s which makes the next contract he signs very important, but says that if Red Bull can prove their competitiveness this year he will extend his contract.

Ricciardo's current contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the 2018 F1 campaign, and there has been speculation that both Mercedes and Ferrari could be interested in making a swoop for his services. Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes and Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari are both in the same situation, and Ricciardo has been tipped as replacing one of the pair should their services be no longer required by their respective teams.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has continually said over the past few months that the team wishes to retain Ricciardo, but the driver himself gave little away when speaking to Sky Sports about his future. It does, however, seem that if Red Bull can prove they can compete with Mercedes and Ferrari for race wins, the Australian will put pen to paper.

“I’m certainly going to take my time because I don’t feel like there’s a rush for anything,” Ricciardo said.

“If we come out and win the first few races with Red Bull and they put a contract in front of me then maybe I will sign something pretty soon.

“I don’t really see myself racing till my mid or late-30s in F1. So more so I want to make the next period of my career work and make it right – I’m not just happy ticking over and being here.

“If I can get a good deal with the right team, if that is Red Bull or someone else, then I feel it’s worth waiting.”

Ricciardo's current team-mate is Max Verstappen, and with the Dutchman extending his own contract with Red Bull last year, the 'Honey Badger' is viewed is perhaps a second priority within the team until he commits his future to his current employers.