New Red Bull deal on its way for Ricciardo

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Seven-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo has hinted that he will in all likelihood remain a raging bull next season.

The Aussie has been weighing his options in the past couple of months, but events of late have perhaps forced upon the Aussie the only reasonable sporting choice: an extension of his stay with Red Bull.

Ricciardo had been lurking in the wings at both Mercedes and Ferrari, but the Silver Arrows squad looks set to renew its Hamilton-Bottas line-up while the Scuderia will likely replace Kimi Raikkonen with Sauber's Charles Leclerc.

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Both Ricciardo and Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko dropped strong hints yesterday in Austria that the Honey Badger's new contract is on its way, ready to be signed.

The Austrian cited "just details" to work out while Ricciardo said: "It's not over yet but it will come. Soon. The time is not far away."

Ricciardo's confirmation would also lead to a status quo at Renault, with Red Bull's on-loan driver Carlos Sainz remaining with the French manufacturer's works team alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

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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.