Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed there is no release clause in his Renault contract that would see him leave after this season.
Speculation is already swirling about the Australian’s longer-term future at the French manufacturer, with his initial two-year deal expiring after next year.
However, it had been suggested that as part of his shock move from Red Bull, if Mercedes or Ferrari had come calling, he would be open to a possible move.
“There is nothing to hide here. These rumours are false,” Ricciardo told Russian outlet Championat
“I have a fixed contract with Renault. Even if the level of performances was worse, I would still stay. There is no exit clause.
“Even if the top team offers me a contract tomorrow, I can’t sign it. I’m tied to Renault, that’s the truth.”
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The dilemma facing Ricciardo is that Renault’s goal of pushing on after finishing fourth last year and trying to challenge the domination of the top three teams hasn’t materialised.
Instead, a poor chassis has left them trailing customer team McLaren in fifth in the Constructors’ standings.
“I would say that in terms of results we are somewhere in the middle,” Ricciardo said reflecting on his first year in yellow. “There were pleasant weekends like Montreal and Monza, but there were also difficult ones.
“We made some progress, but it took a long time. Ideally, it should have come earlier, but I’ve enjoyed my time at Renault, I am satisfied.
“Podiums are the goal, no doubt. We need a good step to achieve this, but this is not impossible. So yes: perhaps we will fight for podiums [next year].”