Ricciardo close to signing Red Bull deal

Daniel Ricciardo is closer to signing a new deal with Red Bull after reopening discussions with the team. Red Bull's confirmation of a Honda partnership in 2019 had been expected to be swiftly followed by confirmation over the Australian's future with the team.

Ricciardo's pre-season billing as the main player in the 2019 driver market has gradually scaled back as the campaign has drawn on, with two victories perhaps convincing him of Red Bull's long-term prospects.

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Toro Rosso's success with the Honda power unit has convinced the main team to enter a works partnership with the Japanese marque, despite their dismal three years prior with McLaren.

Although linked with championship-leading Mercedes and Ferrari previously, Ricciardo also appears to have been convinced that Red Bull can continue to take the fight to their rivals.

"We've had more discussions recently," Dr Helmut Marko told Speed Week of Ricciardo. "We're getting closer to each other.

"To speak in Mercedes jargon, it's just about the details."

Red Bull's ditching of Renault will mirror the move McLaren made for 2018 in an attempt to turn their fortunes around, although Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne have struggled in recent weeks and the French Grand Prix was their worst outing of the season.

Marko remains certain that a similar slump will not befall Red bull, however.

"A few details must be fine-tuned, but we have had a close relationship with Toro Rosso and Honda," he added.

"For the first time we are becoming a factory team. And in resources and methodology, we recognise Honda as the most promising option. We can go for victories with Honda in 2019."

Max Verstappen was unable to take the fight to Lewis Hamilton in France, finishing second, but another Renault upgrade could boost the Bulls in their home race in Austria this weekend.

"On Saturday we will get the stronger mode for qualifying, which was promised since Canada," Marko said.

"But we don't know how much stronger it will be and how much we will catch up with Mercedes and Ferrari who have always had the party mode."