Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo has denied rumours that he has spoken to Ferrari regarding a potential contract for the 2019 Formula 1 season.
Speculation emerged from Italian media earlier in the week suggesting that the six-time race winner had advanced talks with Ferrari and was being lined up to replace Kimi Raikkonen at the team for next season.
Ricciardo, who is out of contract with his current team at the end of the year, stated that these rumours were false.
“I’ve only had talks with Red Bull,” Ricciardo said. “Even already last year we have been pretty open with each other, and I think through the media everyone is aware that they are interested in keeping me.
“So, we have had some talks regarding that. I am aware of other reports, but there hasn’t been anything else, so they are not true. At least up until now, certainly not.”
Alongside speculation of a Ferrari move, reigning champion Mercedes has also been suggested as a possible destination for Ricciardo in 2019. Valtteri Bottas’s one-year deal for this season could leave the door open for Ricciardo to partner Lewis Hamilton.
“I’d love to be challenged against the best and Lewis is arguably up there,” said Ricciardo. “For sure that would be a good challenge.
“I’ve got a good challenge now with Max and of course, in the past with Seb. I don’t want to say that it’s just Lewis that I’m looking for but that would be a good challenge.”
Ricciardo first entered the Red Bull young driver programme in 2008. Having completed his first full F1 season with Toro Rosso in ’12, Ricciardo was promoted to Red Bull in ’14.
When asked if he feels that he owes a loyalty to Red Bull, he said; “There will always be a bit of that. It’s 10 years since I was in the Red Bull junior team, so it’s been a long time.
“They really set this all up for me, to make this all happen. So, there will always be that.
“At some point, you have just got to weigh up what does what, but regardless there will always be something. I would always show love, nonetheless.”
