Ricciardo ready for 'fireworks' with Verstappen

Daniel Ricciardo is prepared for fireworks between himself and Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen in 2018 as the pair shape up for a tilt at the title race. Red Bull have been tipped to muscle in on the fight between Mercedes and Ferrari after making pre-season gains.

Ricciardo finished ahead of Verstappen in the standings last season, but the Dutchman won two races to his team-mate's solitary victory in Baku.

Verstappen also out qualified his team-mate 13 times in 2017, although both struggled with reliability.

With Mercedes and Ferrari both talking up the chances of Red Bull this year, Ricciardo expects the usually jovial atmosphere in the team to change.

"To be honest, yes. But it's not only Max," Ricciardo told ESPN when asked about potential "psychological warfare" from his team-mate.

"I think any of us who really believes we can win has that in us. You need that in a way and it's not being a bad sport.

"It's not cheating, it's just that ruthless streak that every winner has in them. I think Max, Seb [Vettel], Lewis [Hamilton], Fernando [Alonso], all the top guys in the sport have that in them.

"I wouldn't put it past him [Verstappen] if the situation comes up; maybe things will change, maybe there will be some fireworks.

"But if I'm prepared for it at least it's not a surprise if it does happen. It's not like I'm expecting it, but I'll be prepared if it happens."

Ricciardo's future has been the subject of much discussion in the early part of 2018 as his contract expires at the end of the year.

Both Mercedes and Ferrari have been linked with the Australian, who is determined to do his talking on the track.

"It's exciting," Ricciardo says. "It's particularly exciting if I drive well. If I'm not driving well then maybe it's much less exciting and I'm not wanted by anyone!

"It's nice to be in a position to plan my next two or three years to see what I want in the sport and where I plan on pitching it. It will be interesting, I will go through some conversations that will be new to me and I'm kind of looking forward to that experience.

"I think I will grow from that as a life experience to have these talks and sit down with Red Bull and speak openly with them - see what our desires are and all that. That will be fun.

"I think they are keen to keep me, obviously they've got Max but I think they are keen to keep me and Max together. But yeah, we'll see. I don't want to get ahead of myself and think that everyone wants me, but I think Red Bull likes us as a pair - so that's encouraging."