Verstappen rules Ricciardo out of title contention

Max Verstappen says the world drivers' title fight is solely between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, appearing to rule third-placed Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo out of contention. Ricciardo has two wins to his name in 2018, but remains 49 points adrift of Hamilton atop the standings.

Hamilton and Vettel have three wins apiece and are yet to suffer a DNF, while Ricciardo retired in Bahrain and Azerbaijan and has not taken to the podium apart from his victories in China and Monaco.

The 2017 title fight was a direct competition between Hamilton and Vettel after the Mercedes star's team-mate Valtteri Bottas faded from contention in mid-season.

Speaking ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Ricciardo stated his belief that the title remains a possibility for him in 2018, however Verstappen sees it a different way.

"They more or less keep winning the races so you are losing points to them," Verstappen said of the championship's leading pair.

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"I am definitely catching up to the other guys. I was a bit far down but I think in the moment it doesn't look too bad.

"The guys in third, fourth they look a bit closer because they have in the beginning of the season a bit better points-scoring. But in general I don't think they are a real part of the championship fight.

"Mainly it's between Lewis and Sebastian."

Ricciardo is widely expected to pen a fresh deal with Red Bull in the coming weeks, having said in Thursday's press conference that he wants his future secured before the mid-season break.

"The chances that he will stay are high," he said. "I see no reason why not.

"Daniel is a great team-mate, we have a lot of fun together but on the track we motivate each other to push. I like working with him, he's one of my best team-mates and also one of my most difficult rivals, but I like it."