Red Bull team boss Christian Horner believes the extension of Daniel Ricciardo’s contract for 2019 and beyond is now a formality after Mercedes confirmed their line-up.
Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were announced within 24 hours of each other at the German Grand Prix, the former signing a two-year deal and the Finn a single-year contract with the option for 2020.
Seen as the most likely destination other than Red Bull for the Australian, with Ferrari eyeing a promotion for Charles Leclerc, now that avenue is officially closed, his own future should be sorted in the coming days.
“We’re aiming to have things finalised by the summer break. It will be good to go into the break with everything sorted,” Horner told Autosport.
“We’ve got two great drivers, and they both contribute exceptionally well to the team and we’re very keen to retain the same line-up for the future.”
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Comments in the wake of Bottas’ renewal have suggested that it was Hamilton who potential vetoed any thought of Mercedes considering Ricciardo and motorsport boss Toto Wolff was keen to not recreate the toxic atmosphere from the Nico Rosberg days.
The 28-year-old also revealed that the process of renewing was quick and simple.
“It was pretty straightforward, because when we spoke with the team already in 2017 and for ’18, we already had a plan for the future,” Bottas revealed.
“Based on what we’ve done before, we seriously spoke about the contract for the first time at Silverstone. It’s not that far away, and now we’re here. So it’s pretty easy.”
