Ricciardo at Red Bull until 2018

Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed he will stay at Red Bull until 2018 amid reports he could be set to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari.

Published : Jun 30, 2016 20:47 IST

Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed he has agreed to remain at the team for another two years, confident that Red Bull are best placed to challenge Mercedes for the championship next season.
Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed he has agreed to remain at the team for another two years, confident that Red Bull are best placed to challenge Mercedes for the championship next season.
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Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed he has agreed to remain at the team for another two years, confident that Red Bull are best placed to challenge Mercedes for the championship next season.

Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed he will stay at Red Bull until 2018 amid reports he could be set to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari.

The Australian did not hide his frustration after strategic and pit-stop errors cost him potential shots at victory in Barcelona and Monaco.

This week Ricciardo, whose Red Bull contract was set to keep him on board until the end of the 2017 season, revealed he was aware of interest from Ferrari, with Raikkonen's deal up at the end of this year.

However, the 26-year-old has confirmed he has agreed to remain at the team for another two years, confident that Red Bull are best placed to challenge Mercedes for the championship next season.

"Yes [I can confirm I'm saying until 2018]. It's one that goes both sides for sure. We want to win," he said.

"This year's going to be tough for a world title. We can't do anything about that now but [I am] looking forward to next year and seeing what's ahead I think it's the best place to try and challenge Mercedes."

Ricciardo was partnered by Daniil Kvyat at the start of the season but the latter was replaced by Max Verstappen after a collision with Sebastian Vettel at the Russian Grand Prix.

Verstappen made an instant impact by winning the Spanish Grand Prix, and Ricciardo hopes the new rivalry can help push the team forward.

"It's hard to predict what's going to happen in the long run. It's been good, Max came in and set a bit of a tone in Barcelona so that was obviously a pretty crazy weekend. Monaco didn't work as well and he admitted that and took it on the chin," he said.

"We've sort of thrived off the new challenge and rivalry and hopefully it can push the team in the right direction. I think if you're mature about things and basically just admit one guy is better on the day then you'll always have good respect for each other.

"When you make excuses out of nothing that's probably when it doesn't work out as well. I think so far so good."

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