Ricciardo: Pity Mateschitz does not run the team alone

The Australian is in the throes of deciding his future, but his options seem slim as Mercedes is a closed door according to Niki Lauda who expects both current drivers to be retained beyond 2018.

Ferrari is a logical alternative but apparently, the Maranello chiefs are not tripping over themselves to sign him at this point. Interestingly McLaren have allegedly offered a lucrative deal to try and lure him to the beleaguered team.

Remaining at Red Bull, with their new Honda alliance that promises so much, is increasingly Ricciardo's best option, "I spoke with the big boss who I really like a lot, it's a pity he does not run the team alone because everything is easier with him."

"In any case, there is still some time to understand what needs to be done, so we will see how things will evolve."

Ricciardo's deal which runs out at the end of this season is said to be worth a quarter the $20-million his younger teammate Max Verstappen is banking since he inked an unexpected extension with the team in October last year.

The Aussie is obviously keen to address the financial imbalance in light of the results he brings to the team and the fact that there is little to separate the two drivers who until now have had a healthy, albeit at times tense, partnership.