Ricciardo and Red Bull set deadline for contract talks

Red Bull and Daniel Ricciardo have agreed on a deadline for the driver to commit to the team beyond 2018. Ricciardo's Red Bull deal expires at the end of this year and he has been linked with a move to Mercedes.

Ricciardo joined the then constructors' champions in 2014, replacing countryman Mark Webber.

Mercedes dominance of the hybrid era and Red Bull's struggles in their partnership with Renault have prevented Ricciardo from battling for titles.

He has five race wins to his name in four seasons with the senior Red Bull team, three of which came in his debut season, having previously raced for Toro Rosso.

Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko confirmed a deadline had been agreed, by which point Ricciardo's future will be decided one way or another.

"We agreed with him a deadline," Marko told Sky Sports News.

"So as soon as this deadline is over we'll tell you if it's yes or no."

After being asked if Ricciardo could replace Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes, the Silver Arrows' chief Toto Wolff offered "let's see" as a response, adding that the Finn would receive full backing for this season at least.

Ricciardo has previously intimated that talks with Red Bull will begin in April.

"Nothing has really developed since the end of the season. I switched off from F1," Ricciardo said during the first pre-season test.

"I think realistically around April things will start to be spoken.

"After a few races, hopefully I win the first few and I can have a powerful say in what I do."