Ricciardo wants quick Red Bull talks

Daniel Ricciardo has confessed that he wants his contract talks with Red Bull to commence immediately now that the 2017 season has finished as he wants to enjoy the Christmas break without racing or Formula One on his mind over the holiday period.

The Australian has been a success since moving to Red Bull in 2014 and has won five Grand Prix races there, but the end to the 2017 season has been frustrating for him as he has been forced to retire in three out of the last four GPs, including the last of the campaign at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Ricciardo wants contract talks to get under way quickly with Red Bull, but did not give any signal as to whether he would definitely sign on the dotted line, as he wants to drive the best car possible in his best performing years.

"I’m sure there will be a few discussions in the next week or two, especially with the team,” Ricciardo said.

"It’s not about the offer, it’s about who is going to have the best car for 2019.

"Once I get home and over Christmas, I want to switch off from racing so I would like to know something earlier.

"The peak years of my career are probably the next deal I'll sign. I want to make sure I maximize that with my driving ability."

Ricciardo's contract expires at the end of next season and there is the possibility that he could replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari or Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes respectively, but at the moment he continues to partner Max Verstappen, who many believe is a future world champion.

On his partnership, and indeed team rivalry, with the young Dutchman, Ricciardo said:

"I don't want to be too clever and hope I have every option possible. It would be a good problem to have, if we're both fighting at the front and having some battles. If it's ultimately deciding a world title we would happily run with that challenge."