Red Bull turn attention to securing Ricciardo for 2019 and 2020

  • Published on 21 Oct 2017 19:54
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Red Bull has now set its sights on extending Daniel Ricciardo's contract. In Austin, although it was believed the Dutchman was already under contract until 2019, Red Bull announced that Max Verstappen is staying put until 2020.

Earlier, both drivers had hinted they might leave Red Bull given the team's slow start to the season and uncertainty about the engine plans beyond 2019. But Dr Helmut Marko told Auto Bild: "We have understood our problems, introduced a new procedure for the wind tunnel and Adrian Newey is working with us here (in Austin), which is another sign."

By signing Verstappen early for 2020, Red Bull has swiftly ended rumours the 20-year-old might be lured by big money to Mercedes or Ferrari. But it might also give Australian Ricciardo a sign that Red Bull sees Verstappen as its 'number 1' hope for the future.

Ricciardo admitted the Verstappen news caught him by surprise: "It's just quite early, I think," he said. "People talked a little bit about contracts and the silly season for next year, but I thought that would still happen next year. I'm not surprised that Max wants to stay with the team, I think the timing was the only real surprise. On the positive side, it's not really got anything to do with me."

Indeed, Red Bull is now giving Ricciardo the message that it still wants him to stay beyond the end of his 2018 contract: "We've spoken with Daniel. It's very clear we want to do exactly the same with him," said team boss Christian Horner. "We want to keep the same drivers I would hope for the period until 2020.

Marko agreed: "I talked to Daniel today. He says he wants to continue. "He looks around, but we now have a fixed position that we would like to have him for 2019 and 2020."

Ricciardo, however, may be nervous about Horner's recent comments that Red Bull wants to "build a team" around Verstappen: "The media reads more than I do," Ricciardo smiled. "Max gets a lot of attention, and that's quite normal given what he's done and the records and everything. But for me, it's what happens inside the team that is more important, and that hasn't changed. As long as I have the same conditions, I can live with any team."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,093
  • Podiums 114
  • Grand Prix 213
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar