Daniel Ricciardo warns Red Bull he may QUIT team if he is not given F1 title shot
DANIEL RICCIARDO has warned Red Bull that he could quit the team next season if he's not in the F1 title fight.
The highly-rated Aussie is out of contract at the end of 2018 and is growing frustrated by his lack of silverware.
Ricciardo, who won in Baku this season, is fourth in the drivers' championship but has been hampered by his car's lack of speed.
The 28-year-old, who comfortably beat four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel when they were team-mates at Red Bull, as been linked with drives at Mercedes and Ferrari.
Both will have seats available for the 2019 season, with Ricciardo saying that he could be forced to jump ship to win a title.
He said: "I went through that impatient phase for sure, and I am still bordering that, because I don't want to leave F1 without a championship.
"I still believe I can do that absolutely. I am looking for it – sooner rather than later.
"I thought we would be in with a really good shot this year, but it hasn't turned out like that.
"We have still managed to get podiums but we haven't realistically been in the championship hunt so it really needs to happen with Red Bull next year – at least from my point of view.
"I've been here for quite a few years now and I think next year we need to make a bigger step next year than we did this year, to really convince me that I can win with them.
"Do I want to win with them? Absolutely. I think that would complete the story as well. Seb got to complete it – he is the only guy. So my heart would love to. But we will see.
"I have got decisions to make once my Red Bull contract is up. It is the first time in my professional career that I've been a free agent.
"The next contract I sign, whether it is an extension or a new one, it is unlikely to be for just one year, it is probably three years. So that is a big part of the next step in my career.
"For sure it is something I will put a lot of thought in to. But at the end of the day, I want to be somewhere where I can have a good chance of success and winning, but it is an environment I want to enjoy as well."