Ferrari Expresses Interest With Daniel Ricciardo; Aussie Red Bull Driver Says Move Is Unlikely, But Has Not Ruled It Out
Formula One (F1) outfit has reportedly expressed their interest of signing Red Bull Aussie racing driver Daniel Ricciardo. The Perth-native is said to be thrilled that the Italian outfit had noticed him. Ricciardo made it clear that a change of F1 outfit is unlikely to take place, but also hinted that he is not ruling out the possibility of moving to Maranello.
Ricciardo spoke about Ferrari’s interest in him in a report by Autosport. According to Ricciardo, all he wants to accomplish is to win races and not talk about contracts. Ricciardo, who won three Grand Prix races last year, is yet to accomplish a spot in the previous seven races. His best performance so far was the fifth-finish at the Monaco Grand Prix. He is currently seventh in the World Drivers’ Championship standings with 36 points, while Red Bull is at the fourth place with 55 points behind Williams, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
“With contracts, it is not easy as saying, ‘Yeah I will go to Ferrari and that is that,” Ricciardo said. “There are things in place, and right now it would be, from my understanding of contracts, it is not likely that I can get out.”
Ricciardo, who is binded with Red Bull until 2018, said he believes that the team can make significant changes next season. He is positive that Red Bull will win races. Ricciardo added that Red Bull has got the “ingredients” to become a winning F1 outfit.
Ricciardo took Ferrari’s interest in him as a “compliment” and even thought he said that a move to the Maranello is unlikely to happen now, he also said that anything is possible. He said that he will not completely rule a transfer to the prancing horse outfit.
In April, Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen first revealed about Ferrari’s performance-based option to keep him as a driver in 2016. The Finnish driver has also expressed his intention to stay in Maranello as long as the team wants to retain him as the driver. Raikkonen’s best finish this season was his second-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
As the team heads to Silverstone this week, Raikkonen will face the pressure to achieve a remarkable finish as he hope to receive a new deal with Ferrari. Raikkonen’s teammate Sebastian Vettel is optimistic that his fellow driver will be kept as Ferrari’s driver next season, Sky Italia reported during the German's recent visit to Budapest. Vettel, who raced with Ricciardo with Red Bull, admitted that the Finnish driver is currently having a series of ups and downs in his F1 career, but also said that Raikkonen has “talent that can do the job to perfection.” Vettel said he has a great relationship with Raikkonen and he wants to continue to race with the Finnish.
To report problems about this article or leave feedback, email r.corpuz@IBTimes.com.au.