Red Bull hope to keep Ricciardo

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hopes to be able to tie Daniel Ricciardo to a new, extended deal. The Australian's current contract expires at the end of the 2018 season and he has been linked with both Mercedes and Ferrari.

Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen are also on deals to the end of the year at the Silver Arrows and Scuderia respectively, with the driver market likely to become a key thread in the upcoming season.

Ricciardo expects talks with Red Bull to begin in April and Helmut Marko revealed this week that a deadline has been set for those discussions to be concluded.

Horner is confident that Red Bull could replace Ricciardo if he chooses to leave, but outlined the team's desire to keep hold of the five-time grand prix winner.

"It's difficult, Daniel obviously needs to make sure he's comfortable that he's making the right decision for next year," Horner told Sky Sports.

"From our perspective we've got plenty of options. Our desire is to continue with Daniel.

"At the right point in time there'll be an opportune moment to sit and discuss the future, but it feels a bit early at this point in time."

Mercedes have cast numerous predictions of a Red Bull resurgence in 2018, with Ricciardo and Verstappen also talking up their chances of starting this season as they ended the last one, battling for victories with the Silver Arrows and Ferrari.

"I think it's so hard to draw conclusions, you get a bit of a flavour," Horner said of their promising form in pre-season.

"Mercedes are in great shape, they're looking strong.

"We hope to be there or thereabouts, it would be great for Formula 1 if a few teams are in contention.

"Mercedes, rest assured, go into the championship very much as the favourite."