Red Bull won't break the bank for Ricciardo

Red Bull won't break the bank for Ricciardo

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Wednesday 4 April 2018 15:56

Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko has suggested the team will not go to extra lengths in order to keep Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian has less than a year remaining on his current deal and has attracted reported attention from Mercedes and Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz Jr is a likely for Ricciardo if he does leave the team. The Spanish driver is on loan with Renault, having previously raced for Red Bull's sister team Toro Rosso.

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Ricciardo has previously stated he expects talks over a new deal to begin this month, with a pre-determined deadline for those talks to be closed by already agreed.

Though the five-time grand prix winner likely holds most power in a drivers' market which could also feature the likes of Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas, Marko is not willing to be held to ransom.

"I have a good relationship with Daniel," Marko told Auto Hebdo.

"We really like him and want him to stay, but not under any conditions. The contract should be beneficial to us both."

Ricciardo has made it clear that he wants to put himself in the best position to win races and championships with his next deal, whether at Red Bull or elsewhere.

"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," he told Sky Sports.

"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."