Daniel Ricciardo is holding off considering a new Red Bull contract for 2019 and beyond because Lewis Hamilton is stalling at Mercedes, according to Helmut Marko.
The Australian has consistently claimed he will bide his time before making what he considers the most important decision of his racing career, whether to stay with the company that brought him to where he is today or move to a team potentially better placed for championships.
Rumours had suggested Ricciardo was already in talks with Ferrari over replacing Kimi Raikkonen, while Mercedes has seemed less likely as they appear happy with the current line-up of Hamilton alongside Valtteri Bottas.
However, with the four-time world champion yet to sign an extension to his current deal, which expires at the end of 2018, Red Bull advisor Marko hopes he does so soon.
“I hope that finally gets signed because Ricciardo says that, as long as Hamilton is not yet contracted to Mercedes, he also does not want to sign. It’s a bit strange! ” he said at the event which saw Marc Marquez drive an F1 car at Spielberg this week.
Also in attendance was triple world champion and non-executive chairman at Mercedes, Niki Lauda and his response to his fellow Austrian’s comments were pretty clear.
“Lewis will sign. We only discuss details, not the money,” he claimed. “It’s about promotion performances. Lewis stays safely with us, that will be solved.
“Ricciardo blackmailed you with Hamilton, who has not yet signed! What Hamilton gets, he cannot get anyway. So, we have not made him an offer.”
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Another key decision Red Bull face this month is which engine to use in 2019, another factor that is also likely delaying Ricciardo’s choice, with Renault and Toro Rosso supplier Honda the two options.
“We’re in talks,” Marko told Motorsport.com. “Our internal schedule plans that we want to have a decision on the engine issue by the Grand Prix in Austria. If possible, then also on the driver.
“I’m sure there’ll be a decision in Austria. There’s not that many possibilities.”
