Ricciardo-Red Bull contract talks on hold

Daniel Ricciardo has shelved contract talks with Red Bull until Formula 1 reaches the European leg of the season. The Australian is reportedly high in demand, with both Mercedes and Ferrari thought to be keen to bring him in when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Ricciardo's on-track start to 2018 has been mixed, with a frustrating fourth place at Melbourne followed by his car shutting down after just one lap of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

This weekend's Chinese Grand Prix gives Ricciardo another chance to kick-start his campaign, although he has never finished on the podium in Shanghai - last season's fourth-place finish was his third at the event.

In pre-season, Ricciardo estimated that contract talks would begin in April, although it is now apparent that they are unlikely to begin for a while yet.

"Nothing has changed and to be honest I don't think anything will until we get to Europe," Ricciardo said.

Done. Done. On to the next one... ?? #givesyouwings pic.twitter.com/XHl1EINWOV — Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) April 10, 2018

"I think for Red Bull obviously it is the sooner the better.

"We will see, but I will at least say that this weekend or next weekend I don't think anything is going to change."

F1 heads to Baku two weeks after the Shanghai race, with May bringing both the Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix.

Ricciardo has stated that he wants to secure a seat that will give him the best chance of winning races and championships.

Despite Red Bull's pre-season promise, they are yet to deliver in 2018 and Dr Helmut Marko had a familiar target - power-unit suppliers Renault - when surmising where things have gone wrong so far.

"The problem of Ricciardo is it is not the first time it's happened," Marko told Autosport.

"What can you do when a technical issue just stops you completely?

"First we have to sort out our qualifying, but we need a fast and reliable engine."