Ricciardo signs Ferrari contract? (6th Update)

Ricciardo calls rumors a lie

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. “I have only had talks with Red Bull – since last year we have been open with each other," said Ricciardo when asked in the pre-race press conference whom he has spoken to regarding a 2019 seat.

“I think through the media as well, everyone is aware they [Red Bull] are interested in keeping me. We have had some talks regarding that. I am aware of other reports but there hasn’t been anything else. They’re not true. At least up until now, certainly not."

And when queried on whether he has a pre-agreed contract in place with Ferrari, he said: “That’s not true. I can say that."

04/24/18 The Formula 1 world has wondered where Daniel Ricciardo will be in 2019 for months now. His current team, Red Bull Racing, has not yet recovered the dominance it lost with the V-8 engines after 2013, scooping up the occasional scraps left by Mercedes and Ferrari since 2014. Ricciardo's talents—reestablishing themselves in China—are too valuable to be left to stagnate at a team struggling for competitiveness.

Latest word alleges that Ricciardo may have an exit strategy. Motorsport Magazine, reports that its sources within Red Bull Racing know Ricciardo has signed some sort of contract with a team that is neither Red Bull nor Mercedes.

The publication points to Ferrari as a target for Ricciardo, as Kimi Raikkonen is on a one-year contract extension, leaving his seat up for contention by any and all seeking a move to a more competitive team. It is alleged that driver and team have agreed not to negotiate with other parties until June 30, with money changing hands as part of the accord. Until that date, they may only look to each other for solutions to their 2019 problems.

Ricciardo is free of his contract at Red Bull after 2018, and with Ferrari's stronger record (since 2015), Maranello looks ready to knock Mercedes off the throne.

04/08/18 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has denied speculation he has already signed a Ferrari deal for 2019.

Rumors are growing that the Maranello team intends to snap up the Australian as his Red Bull contract ends, installing him in Kimi Raikkonen's place.

It would reunite Ricciardo with Sebastian Vettel, his former Red Bull teammate.

But Vettel, the number 1 Ferrari driver, says he isn't sure what Ricciardo – who is also linked with Mercedes – is going to do.

"We only shared one year together, which wasn't great for me but it was great for him," said Vettel.

"Anyway, I think we get along so I wouldn't mind if we get together again in the future, but I don't know what his plan is," added the German.

But in Bahrain, Ricciardo denied that he has already discussed teaming up with Vettel again — this time in red.

"I'd have to ask Seb first," he smiled.

One publication even said a 'pre-agreement' between Ricciardo and Ferrari has been drawn up, but the 28-year-old told Auto Bild: "I swear I haven't signed anything."

His boss at Red Bull, Dr Helmut Marko, agreed: "There have not even been talks between Daniel and Ferrari."

Ricciardo and Verstappen may be stuck at Red Bull for a long time

08/27/17 This rumor is of course downgraded to 'false'. Daniel Ricciardo has counted himself out of the running for a Ferrari seat in the foreseeable future.

The Australian is regularly linked with a switch to red, but he now sees Sebastian Vettel's new three-year deal as a clear sign that Ferrari is planning without him.

"When Kimi's contract was confirmed, I knew that Sebastian would stay as well," Ricciardo, who was Vettel's teammate at Red Bull in 2014, said at Spa.

"And as long as Seb is at Ferrari, I don't see a chance for me. I'm always asked by fans and the media about Ferrari, but Ferrari never asks me!" he smiled.

06/23/17 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has once again played down rumors connecting him with a move to Ferrari for 2018.

Amid the persistent rumors, Red Bull chief Dr Helmut Marko has said repeatedly that both the Australian and Max Verstappen are under firm contract.

"I honestly don't think there is anything (to the rumors)," Ricciardo told Italy's Sky.

"If there I was I couldn't tell you, but honestly there is nothing — only rumors," he added.

Ricciardo's teammate, Dutchman Verstappen, has also been linked with Ferrari, particularly after a spate of frustrated comments in recent weeks.

Asked if he regrets the comments, the 19-year-old said in Baku: "No. What am I supposed to say?

"I want to win.

"But right now I have a contract with Red Bull and I have to think about how to improve this season," Verstappen told Corriere della Sera newspaper.

"We will see what happens in the future, but I still very young."

05/27/17 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is not ruling out leaving Red Bull to drive for another F1 team.

That is despite the repeated claims of Red Bull officials who say the Australian and his teammate Max Verstappen have "watertight" contracts for 2018.

But the affable Australian Ricciardo expressed some frustration that Red Bull is not in a title-challenging position so far this year.

"Obviously now it gets to that point where we really – and I – want to be fighting for a championship," he told Fairfax Media in Monaco.

"It can't kind of be a long-term plan anymore to me.

"Obviously I thought this year would be a chance and that seems to be slipping away," said the 27-year-old. "So we have got to see some real progress over the year and a sign that next year it can be delivered, because it is just, obviously, personal goals."

Asked directly about the prospect of leaving Red Bull, however, Ricciardo said: "At the moment, no.

"I don't really know what they are going to do, to be honest. It is all pretty much a closed book I guess at this stage. So yeah, I would say it is still an unlikely for next year."

04/14/17 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo has denied rumors he is lining up a switch to Ferrari for 2018.

Last week, an Italian newspaper claimed the Red Bull driver had even signed some sort of agreement to replace Sebastian Vettel's current teammate Kimi Raikkonen.

But Australian Ricciardo told Italian television Sky: "I heard about it, but it's not true.

"No, I haven't signed anything with Ferrari," the 27-year-old insisted in Bahrain.