Ricciardo: Not sure Ferrari bosses want me 

From the moment Daniel Ricciardo started making his mark in Formula 1, around 2014 when he shone during his first year with Red Bull, he has been linked to Ferrari.

Perhaps the fact that his family is originally from Italy made this a story worth drumming up, and since then every time the question of Kimi Raikkonen's replacement is being speculated upon, Ricciardo's name inevitably comes up as a possible option for the Reds.

Like most drivers the big smiling Aussie admits that Ferrari is a team he would love to drive for, but at the same time has his doubts they want him at Maranello, "When I do get asked the Ferrari question I feel it is more coming from fans or media but not necessary from Ferrari."

"Maybe people want to see it, some people, but the people that matter I am not really sure if they do. We will see," mused Ricciardo.

Right now Ferrari driver speculation for is no longer a hot topic as both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen have had their deals extended for three years and one year respectively.

Ricciardo admits that he expected Vettel to sign an extension, "Once I saw that they had extended Kimi's deal, I was not surprised. I knew that was a bit of insurance for Seb, having Kimi there, I know he is comfortable with that. So once Kimi was signed, I knew Seb would be on a few-years deal."

"At the same time, he is leading [the championship] and they are in a really good position, so it was fairly obvious. The only other place he would have gone was Mercedes, and I think they are going to keep what they have by the looks of it," predicted Ricciardo.

Come what may, when speculation on Raikkonen's replacement arises again next year (or sooner), inevitably Ricciardo's name will be thrown into the red hat for consideration.