With his contract set to expire, Daniel Ricciardo says he would “love” to re-sign with Renault for 2021.
Results have been mixed since the Australian’s bold decision to join the French manufacturer from Red Bull at the end of 2018, with the Enstone-based outfit dropping to fifth in the Constructors’ standings last year.
That stall in progress has led to questions over whether Ricciardo’s stay may only last the initial two years for which he signed, but the man himself insists he would be more than happy to stay.
“I haven’t committed any more than the end of next year,” he told the Sunday Times Down Under. “That’s not anything personal, it’s just we haven’t had any discussion about beyond 2020 yet. It’s still early days.
“I would love for 2020 to work out and I stay, that’s the easiest and happiest scenario, I wish for that.”
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Rumbles have suggested Ricciardo could be considered by Ferrari if Sebastian Vettel retires and Lewis Hamilton stays at Mercedes, while a recent report also recently linked the seven-time Grand Prix winner to McLaren.
And in a year where many top drivers are out of contract, even after Max Verstappen’s Red Bull extension on Tuesday, the ‘Honey Badger’ is expecting some movement.
“As far as 2021 goes and that musical chairs, so to speak, I think F1 could get a real shakeup,” he added.
Despite being only 30, Ricciardo also heads into this year as the fifth most experienced driver and while there is no thought it will happen after 2020, he has revealed what he hopes to do when his days in F1 are over.
“Once I’ve burnt myself out from racing, I think I’ll want to step away,” he said to TheCheckeredFlag. “Another thing is, I’ve always had other interests growing up. I love racing, but I grew up playing other sports too.
“It’d be nice to step away from racing, after putting everything into it because then I could end that chapter and think, ‘Awesome, that part of my life is done’. So we’ll see what happens.
“But, more than anything, I definitely have an interest to do something different, whether that’s in fashion or music, I don’t know.
“I don’t see myself being tied down to this sport all my life. It’s certainly been my passion my whole life, but I’d love to do something else successful other than racing cars.“