Red Bull priority is to keep Ricciardo for 2019 - Horner

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Delivering a car which will be a winning proposition in 2018 will prove key in convincing Daniel Ricciardo to remain with Red Bull Racing in 2019, says Christian Horner.

Earlier this week, the energy drink company's motorsport boss Helmut Marko revealed that the Aussie was virtually 'on the market' already and making noises about a potential move for 2019.

Marko admitted Red Bull Racing was preparing for the eventuality that Ricciardo could move on, but the Milton Keynes-based outfit will also do all it can to retain both the Honey Badger and Max Verstappen .

Red Bull already preparing for Ricciardo's departure!

"We love having both drivers in the team and our priority is to make sure they're with us for some time to come," team boss Christian Horner told Sky F1.

"It's the first time Daniel is effectively out of a contract, he's been with Red Bull for ten years, so it'll be the first time he's a free agent.

"It doesn't mean he wants to leave or it doesn't mean that we want him to go anywhere else, or that we want anybody else. Our priority is to keep those two drivers."

Horner insisted that it would be only normal for Red Bull to prepare for the future, regardless of what it holds.

"It's important to always have options to cover scenarios. That's what we've got with Carlos Sainz, with developing other juniors, but our priority is to keep Daniel in the car and we want to keep Max long term in the car.

"It's up to us to provide them with the car that is capable of delivering the results that we certainly know they are."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.