Ricciardo refusing to commit long-term future to F1

Daniel Ricciardo is wary of committing his future to Formula 1 beyond 2020 as Liberty Media plot a raft of new regulations to alter the face of the sport. The Red Bull driver also claims he is yet to be approached by either Ferrari or Mercedes about a move.

Ferrari have threatened to pull out over the changes, while world champion Lewis Hamilton has also suggested he is unsure of his long-term status in the sport.

Ricciardo is the major player in next year's driver market, as his Red Bull contract expires with seats potentially open to him at Ferrari and Mercedes. His stock took a significant boost with victory at last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

Liberty's plans have been controversial to say the least, with Ferrari angered by proposed changes to engine regulations and the planned introduction of budget caps, which has also been criticised by constructors' champions Mercedes.

"I don't want to sign anything too long because I don't know where the sport's going," Ricciardo told The Times.

"I feel like life is happening pretty fast. Each year something might change so I don't want to tie myself down for four more years and then I'm like: 'I don't want to do this any more'.

"Ideally I'd sign a two-year contract. I think two years I can definitely be comfortable with and then see it from there.

"That third year will be the rule change so I will probably wait and see what happens then."

Although Hamilton was widely expected to sign a new deal at Mercedes before this season, he remains tied to a contract which also expires this year.

"For sure that could or could not have an impact on decisions we make in terms of length or whatever we end up doing in Formula 1," he said before Liberty unveiled their vision for 2021 and beyond earlier this month.

Whether replacing Hamilton or Valtteri Bottas, the Silver Arrows are thought to be keen on Ricciardo, who has been previously linked to Ferrari owing to his Italian heritage.

"I kind of feel like if they want me to race for them they should contact me, but they haven't," the Australian said.

"If we win this year then I'm staying with Red Bull. It's pretty simple. It's really just about performance at the moment."