Breaking news
Formula 1
Ricciardo: Red Bull needs 2018 title bid to keep me
Daniel Ricciardo says Red Bull will need to make a big step forward in 2018 if it is to convince him to stay when his current Formula 1 contract comes to an end.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Sep 13, 2017, 11:27 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Australian is committed to Red Bull until the end of next season, and he is well aware that the next deal he signs will be an important one for him as he chases his maiden F1 championship.
Having been linked with both Mercedes and Ferrari longer term, Ricciardo will likely be a key target for several teams after next year – although he has suggested that his ideal scenario would be to win the title for his current employers.
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com during an event to help promote his Ricciardo Kart venture, this year's Baku winner said that a championship assault was all that mattered to him as he admitted some impatience to get hold of a car that could deliver it.
"I went through that impatient phase for sure, and I am still bordering that – because I don't want to leave F1 without a championship," said Ricciardo.
"At least right now, I still believe I can do that absolutely. I am looking for it – sooner rather than later.
"I thought we would be in with a really good shot this year, but it hasn't turned out like that. We have still managed to get podiums but we haven't realistically been in the championship hunt so it really needs to happen with Red Bull next year – at least from my point of view.
"I've been here for quite a few years now and I think next year we need to make a bigger step next year than we did this year, to really convince me that I can win with them.
"Do I want to win with them? Absolutely. I think that would complete the story as well. Seb [Vettel] got to complete it – he is the only guy. So my heart would love to. But we will see.
"I want an opportunity to be able to win week in and week out, while I believe I am still at the top."
Free agent
Ricciardo's availability for 2019 is believed to be one of the driving factors in both Mercedes and Ferrari not wanting to lock themselves into long term deals with their current drivers.
At Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen is only on a one-year deal until the end of 2018, while Mercedes has only committed to Valtteri Bottas until the end of 2018.
Ricciardo said the option for him to move after 2018 was something new for him, as it would be the first time in his F1 career that he had a free choice of what to do – having had his career guided by Red Bull up until now.
"I think whatever I choose to do next, let's say I have got decisions to make once my Red Bull contract is up," he said.
"It is the first time in my professional career that I've been a free agent – it is something I've never really had before. I've been with Red Bull since the start and it has been awesome and all that.
"But it is up to them as well if they would want to continue, and then it is a decision where I think it will be best."
He added: "The next contract I sign, whether it is an extension or a new one, it is unlikely to be for just one year, it is probably three years. So that is a big part of the next step in my career.
"For sure it is something I will put a lot of thought in to. But at the end of the day, I want to be somewhere where I can have a good chance of success and winning, but it is an environment I want to enjoy as well.
"A big part of my success is that I have fun doing this sport. I feel like not everyone is having as much fun as they should, so that is important for me."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article McLaren and Honda agree to end partnership
Next article Mercedes F1 engine hits new benchmark on dyno
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Daniel Ricciardo
Why Daniel Ricciardo is staying away from the F1 paddock
Formula 1
Formula 1
Why Daniel Ricciardo is staying away from the F1 paddock
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
WEC
WEC
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
More from
Red Bull Racing
"Unacceptable downshifts" – Max Verstappen explains what's behind a recurring F1 radio complaint
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
47 min
"Unacceptable downshifts" – Max Verstappen explains what's behind a recurring F1 radio complaint
F1 Brazil GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
21 h
F1 Brazil GP: Friday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Latest news
NASCAR confirms new qualifying rainout policy, mulls other 2027 changes
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
23 min
NASCAR confirms new qualifying rainout policy, mulls other 2027 changes
"Unacceptable downshifts" – Max Verstappen explains what's behind a recurring F1 radio complaint
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
47 min
"Unacceptable downshifts" – Max Verstappen explains what's behind a recurring F1 radio complaint
MotoGP Qatar GP: Fabio Di Giannantonio fastest in Practice; Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez make the cut
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
47 min
MotoGP Qatar GP: Fabio Di Giannantonio fastest in Practice; Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez make the cut
Colton Herta qualifies for F1 superlicence as Valtteri Bottas remains bullish on 2027 seat
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Colton Herta qualifies for F1 superlicence as Valtteri Bottas remains bullish on 2027 seat
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1960s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe