Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz are likely to face stiff opposition from Red Bull if either is to leave their respective teams at the end of this year.
Both the Spaniard and the Australian have been linked to Ferrari for 2018, who are likely to replace Kimi Raikkonen, with Sainz particularly keen to make a step up from the midfield battle with Toro Rosso.
“Ideally I want to fight for a world championship [next year], I want to have the chance to show everyone that I’m able to fight for a world championship,” he told Crash.net.
“Red Bull knows this, I’ve told them, they know it perfectly, and I think if I keep bringing home good results the opportunity will come, and hopefully it will come with Red Bull, this is my target and this is what I’m looking for.”
With the senior team currently lacking competitiveness, albeit still comfortably third in the standings, and the ever-growing presence of Max Verstappen, Ricciardo too, is believed to be at least on the radar of the Scuderia.
What Daniel decides will likely shape what Sainz does, as the 22-year-old is the first driver in line for a promotion if the four-time Grand Prix winner did move on. If not, then the second-generation driver would likely to push for a move elsewhere.
Before either scenario can play out, however, motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who has previously said the drivers must show loyalty to Red Bull for the help they gave in their careers, revealed to Germany’s Sport Bild: “Ricciardo and Verstappen have fixed contracts, Ricciardo for 2018 and Verstappen with some clauses for even much longer.
“That also applies to Carlos Sainz, he is also bound to us in the long term until 2019.
“Only we can end contracts, the drivers cannot,” he warned.
