Daniel Ricciardo is set to stay with Red Bull to the end of 2018 after the Australian said the energy drinks owned F1 team looked the best place to be and he hoped to fight for the title next season.
"It's always been pretty discreet," the 26-year-old told reporters when asked at the European Grand Prix about his contract and recent comments from team bosses that he was committed long term.
"Helmut made a few comments perhaps... it's good. Obviously it means he likes me. It's hard to tell some days but I honestly think the team is very happy with the line-up they've got at the moment. I'd say it's pretty stable," he added.
Helmut Marko, consultant to the energy drink's billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz, told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport this week that "Ricciardo will be with us until 2018, there is no doubt."
Team principal Christian Horner also said the team planned to keep the same line-up beyond next year.
"Yes, but not just 2017," Horner told the formula1.com website last weekend when asked whether Ricciardo and 18-year-old Dutch driver Max Verstappen, who won in Spain last month on his debut for the team, would be staying.
Ricciardo has been linked in media speculation to Ferrari, who have Kimi Raikkonen out of contract at the end of the year. The Australian also has an Italian passport through his parentage.
Ricciardo and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel were team mates at Red Bull in 2014.
"The contract was always long term and in a way it was always that length," Ricciardo told Sky Sports television.
"But it's performance based and obviously Helmut and the team are happy with what I am doing and happy with me and Max and want to keep us on board.
"At the moment this looks like being the best place to be. If Mercedes don't make changes there is nowhere else that looks that attractive."
Should Red Bull officially confirm Verstappen and Ricciardo, this will leave Carlos Sainz waiting until at least 2019 for a drive in the senior team, a scenario which he and his handlers are unlikely to accept.
Ferrari could be an option for the Spaniard, while Renault are said to have him in their sights,
Daniil Kvyat, recently demoted from the main team back to Toro Rosso, will probably be shown the door come the end of the season and make way for Pierre Gasly, a Red Bull junior drivber waiting in the wings.
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