Reports claimed Ricciardo signed pre-contract option with Scuderia; Australian says only talks have been with Red Bull; Ricciardo won't move to be a No 2
Tuesday 11 December 2018 15:00, UK
Daniel Ricciardo has categorically denied he has any agreement with Ferrari to join the Italian team from next season.
Ricciardo is out of contract with Red Bull at the end of the season and he has been heavily linked with a move to Ferrari or Mercedes, with reports claiming he had signed an option with the Scuderia in which he could only negotiate with the Italian team.
"That's not true, I can say that," Ricciardo said when pressed specifically on the reports at the Azerbaijan GP.
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"I've only had talks with Red Bull. Even last year we had been pretty open with each other. They are interested in keeping me and we have had some talks regarding that.
"I'm aware of other reports, but there hasn't been anything else so they are not true."
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has said the team want Ricciardo to decide on his future by August, while the 28-year-old is waiting to see what car may give him the best world championship-winning opportunity.
And the Australian also insisted he would not move to a team where he would be a number two driver.
"If it got to that stage and I was in those discussions, I wouldn't sign up for anything where I'm not able to win," he told Sky Sports F1.
"The only reason why I would, if I did, move on is to try is to try and win. That's all I want to do. I would be aware of all those things going on."
He added: "Wherever I may be or go, I will always make sure that there was some clarity.
"What I'm chasing is to try and be world champion, that's my goal, my dream and something I really believe I am capable of.
"If someone said 'We'll let you here, but you can't do this' then that is not an attractive option for me.
"Is that the case somewhere? I honestly don't know what's going on with other teams. At Red Bull there has always been really good clarity and fairness. It has been a nice environment and I would expect that environment everywhere."
Ricciardo joined Red Bull's junior programme in 2008 and said he would not move on from the team just for a change of scenery.
"I wouldn't go somewhere else just for a change. If I did move on I would want to make sure it was something that would potentially be better," he said.
"There will always be a bit of loyalty [to Red Bull] for sure. It's 10 years since I was in the Red Bull junior team and they set it all up for me to make all this happen.
"At some point you have to weigh up what does what. But regardless there will always be something and I will always show love."
