Renault F1 director Alain Prost says the currently disrupted season could promote stability in the drivers' market although the French squad may not be able to hold on to Daniel Ricciardo.
The Australian driver's lucrative contract with Renault expires at the end of this year and the seven-time Grand Prix winner is often cited as a possible replacement for Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari.
However, Prost believes the sport's current hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic could be a game changer, as teams and drivers are unable to accurately assess their options for the future given the lack of competition.
A situation that could lead to only minimum changes among the ranks according to the Frenchman.
"Daniel has a contract until the end of 2020, so he'll be free to go wherever he wants," Prost told French broadcaster Canal +.
"We don't have an option on his services for 2021, he is therefore the master of his own fate.
"However, we're talking," added the four-time world champion. "The market is at a standstill because of the current situation, but time is moving on…
"We may be heading towards a status quo because teams will require stability during this uncertain period."
An offer from Ferrari would likely prove enticing for Ricciardo, but the Aussie has also expressed his desire to fulfill his challenge at Renault.
"He'd obviously be tempted by an offer from Ferrari," confirmed Prost. "But Daniel has told us that he would like to continue with us and complete the challenge we set out to achieve together. We'll see!"
Much will likely depend on how the current season will unfold, and Prost isn't ruling out yet a complete cancellation of the 2020 campaign despite F1's hopes of raising the curtain in Austria in early July.
"We can't say that we'll start in Austria, then race at Silverstone, and then we'll see what happens. That would be very complicated," Prost said.
"We could have 15 races if the situation evolves favorably in certain countries. When I say 15 races, I don't mean 15 venues, as we could have two races on the same track."
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