Ricciardo would relish having Hamilton as team-mate

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that he wants to have as fast a team-mate as possible as having a competitive driver alongside you brings out the best on the track, and even suggested he would like to partner Lewis Hamilton at some point in the future.

Ricciardo is considered to be one of the most talented drivers on the grid and has five Grand Prix victories to his name, but has yet to put paper on a new contract with Red Bull which would extend his stay beyond this season.

His team-mate, Max Verstappen, has been a revelation since making his debut, with his swashbuckling style appealing to fans and teams alike.

Ricciardo has insisted that he likes to have a fast team-mate as it makes him perform better personally.

"I've never really been too fussed about the type of team mate," said the Australian.

"People will probably call me a liar for this but I would like a fast team mate. You're always going to get more out of yourself and it's going to be more of a true valuation, how good you are, where you stand.

"I'm in this sport, yes, to win, but to win by being the best, and not getting lucky or whatever. If I win a title I want to know that I was the best guy that year.

"To be the best you have to go against the best. I've certainly got a good one alongside me now with Max.

Ricciardo even suggested that he would like to 'go up against' Hamilton, and provided an update on how his contract talks with Red Bull were coming along.

"I would love to go up against Lewis at some point, irrespective of the team situation. Yeah, that would be fun!

"I don't want to treat it like the big dog holding every card, and everyone's going to listen to me and wait for my call," he said of his relationship with Red Bull.

"I spoke briefly with Red Bull since the end of the season and they haven't given me an ultimatum either, they haven't put a contract in front of me and said 'Sign it this week or we're moving on'.

"They've been kind and given me some time, and they understand that I kinda want to say where we are in the first race or two."