F1 digest: Daniel Ricciardo to take his time over Red Bull decision

Ricciardo: I don’t need to sign anything soon

Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo is in no hurry to decide where his future lies in Formula 1.

The Australian, whose contract at Red Bull expires at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to Mercedes or Ferrari.

The 28-year-old told The Paddock Magazine his future could be sorted after F1’s summer break. He said: “I don’t feel like I need to sign anything soon. I also want to see what happens with the team and with the other teams as well.”

He added: “I know that at some point, other teams will want to know my decision, but for me... it does not matter right now.”

Bottas seeks two-year deal at Mercedes

While Daniel Ricciardo is in no rush to decide on his future, Valtteri Bottas is seeking a two-year contract with Mercedes.

The Finnish driver and his team-mate Lewis Hamilton will negotiate new deals with Mercedes. He says he wants more than his usual one-year contract.

Bottas told Motorsport.com: “I would like to stay with this team, hopefully for a long time. That is my target. As long as I keep performing like I’ve been performing this year... it should be OK, all good.

“I always kind of had one-year deals, so I would naturally like to know at least for the next two years what I’m going to do.”

Mercedes F1 to support Formula E team

Mercedes will enter a team in the 2019 Formula E season and receive support from its F1 operation.

“The combined know-how of the Mercedes family at Affalterbach, Brixworth and Brackley provides the perfect foundations for our new Mercedes EQ Formula E team,” Mercedes chief Toto Wolff told Motorsport.com. “I cannot imagine a better combination to take on this kind of project.

“Formula E is a unique series with some very specific challenges for its teams. We know the level of competition is extremely high and we will approach the challenge with energy and humility.”

Wolff added: “There can be no other approach when we are up against ten competitive manufacturers, many of whom have years of experience in the series.”