Ricciardo expects new Red Bull contract 'early next week'

Daniel Ricciardo expects his future in Formula 1 to be resolved "early next week", with the Aussie committing to extending his stay at Red Bull Racing.

Ricciardo had contemplated for many months a move away from the Milton Keynes-based team, but with doors progressively closing at both Ferrari and Mercedes, the two teams where he hoped to land, the 29-year-old finds himself short of reasonable options.

"It's getting more realistic, I’d say," he told Motorsport.com when asked if confirmation of his future plans was imminent.

"I think obviously the picture with everyone else is starting to be pretty clear, so obviously I’ll focus on [this race] and then I guess probably early next week I'll try and get everything done."

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The Honey Badger suggested that terms and conditions had been agreed with Red Bull, which means he won't lose any sleep if he hasn't put pen to paper by the time the summer break kicks off after Hungary.

"I’d love to go on break with everything signed and done, but even if I don’t sign it next week for example, as long as I know during the break that I know what I want to do, then I'm happy enough," he said.

"If we put pen to paper, then... We’ll see, we can take some time."

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