Ricciardo on potential return to Red Bull: 'Never say never!'

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Daniel Ricciardo is a man with an open mind, which means the Aussie won't rule out a potential return to Red Bull in the future.

Ricciardo is in the final year of his contract with Renault, and while the 30-year-old has expressed his desire to extend his collaboration with the French outfit, F1's current crisis is depriving him - and his team - of the knowledge on which to base a decision regarding the pair's future together.

The seven-time Grand Prix winner has been linked to Ferrari, but would he ever consider a return to Red Bull, is such an opportunity came about?

"I actually haven't really been asked that one!" he told Sky F1 in a video cast.

"Would I ever rule out going to Red Bull? No... I think something I've learned growing up in life is never say never.

"Never completely disregard something - unless it's going to prison or something! So never say never."

Ricciardo: Leclerc a 'delayed version' of Jules Bianchi

In normal times at this stage of the season, drivers are already taking stalk of the opening races of their campaign, assessing their equipment and performances, and pondering the future.

But with Formula 1 at a standstill amid the coronavirus crisis, Ricciardo admits that everything has been put on the backburner, including his prospects for 2021.

"It is hard having chats right now, because we are at a stalemate - nothing's really happened," he said. "And normally chats start to come off the back of races, results and momentum.

"So there's honestly not a lot to talk about for now, it's more about the current situation and how we're going to deal with it. It's all pretty slow and steady at this stage to be honest."

©Renault

As a bona fide Grand Prix winner, but who was handed sub-par equipment last year, Ricciardo is showing patience with Renault. But the Aussie wants to revisit the top step of the podium once again.

"What I've done in the past I certainly 100% know I can do it again," he insisted.

"Having this extended break - not that I needed any reignited fuel for my fire - it's certainly made me so hungry.

"I'm at a point now where I've started to watch some old races - I want that feeling again. Wherever it puts me, this has been good for me."

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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.