Ricciardo needs 'time away' from Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo says he needs "some time away" from Formula 1 after a difficult run of form for Red Bull. Since winning in Monaco, Ricciardo has not taken to the podium in five races, seeing two end in mechanical failures to drop him out of the title fight.

After winning in Monte Carlo, Ricciardo was just 38 points off the top of the drivers' standings and being spoken about as a genuine threat to Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

However, two fourth places and a fifth, mixed with his pair of pointless scores has left Ricciardo 82 points adrift of Hamilton ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Ricciardo had said that anything other than victory at the Hungaroring would end his title hopes, so qualifying 12th proved to be a bad blow for the Australian ahead of a month off.

"I think [it's] a good time," Ricciardo said when quizzed on the timing of the break.

"We had a triple header to try to get one [win], and now this double header and at least up until today it hasn't really turned around, or I've got any revenge so to speak.

"So, it's a good time for the break.

"I need some time away from the car. I am growing frustrated with these problems, so probably it's healthy for me to have some time off."

Ricciardo has previously spoken of his desire to have his future sewn up before the mid-season break, although Ricciardo is yet to officially announce whether he will remain at Red bull for 2019, with his contract expiring at the end of the year.

The likes of Carlos Sainz Jr, Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll will have eyes on Ricciardo during the break, with his decision likely to set off a chain reaction of driver moves further down the grid.