Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsOpinion

Maranello should be calling Ricciardo - Alan Jones

Former F1 World Champion Alan Jones is hoping that fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo will leave Red Bull and head to Ferrari next year.

Ricciardo's contract with the Milton Keynes squad expires at the end of 2016, and many - including Jones - believe the Red Bull charger is biding his time this season before switching to the Scuderia in replacement of Kimi Raikkonen next year.

"It should be a simple equation", said the 1980 Formula 1 World Champion, Alan Jones.

"They’ve obviously got plans for what they’re going to do next year, which I hope is going to be Daniel Ricciardo.

"They’re probably thinking ‘stick with the known factor — we’ve got Vettel, we’ve got Kimi’. (Kimi) does on occasion put up a good race, so I think they’ve done the right thing.

"But in terms of Daniel, I’m really confident and hopeful that he’ll land that Ferrari seat next year."

Obviously, Ricciardo's destiny will be highly dependent on Red Bull's form this season as as on its future power unit plans.

Nobody is expecting fireworks from Ricciardo and Red Bull, but the always-smiling Aussie is hoping that his fortunes will well exceed the dismal campaign he endured in 2015.

2016 F1 season: Chris Medland's team-by-team preview

TECHNICAL: A closer look at the Manor MRT05

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.