Helmut Marko: "We're closer to deal with Ricciardo"
- Published on 28 Jun 2018 10:19
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- By: Danny Sosef
Dr Helmut Marko says Red Bull is getting "closer" to re-signing Daniel Ricciardo for 2019. The Australian has been linked with potential moves to Ferrari, Mercedes or even McLaren or Renault.
But now that Red Bull's Honda engine deal is in place, team consultant Marko said efforts are now moving onto getting Ricciardo's signature on a page.
Actually, he admitted that the Honda deal is not quite finalised. "A few details must be fine-tuned," he told Speed Week. "But we have had a close relationship with Toro Rosso and Honda," he added. "For the first time we are becoming a factory team. And in resources and methodology, we recognise Honda as the most promising option. We can go for victories with Honda in 2019," Marko said.
He said a new deal with Ricciardo is then the next step. "We've had more discussions recently," the Austrian revealed. "We're getting closer to each other. To speak in Mercedes jargon, it's just about the details."
And there is also more potential for the rest of the season with Renault, Marko insisted. "On Saturday we will get the stronger mode for qualifying, which was promised since Canada," he said. "But we don't know how much stronger it will be and how much we will catch up with Mercedes and Ferrari who have always had the party mode," added Marko.
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Replies (11)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Unless Alo goes to WEC/Indy, Räi goes to McLaren, and Ric grab a Ferrari seat by seducing Vet and thereby win his grace, I dont think there is a better option for him.
As for Renault: expect this to be their final bigger update and for them to unexpectedly run short on spare parts...
Hepp
Posts: 200
Agreed ... or .. VanD goes to Renault because Saints gets Ricciardo's seat when Kimi and Fernando go tag-teaming in WEC and Indycar, so Norris and LeClerc get a ride with McLaren .... haha ... what a rumour mill.
Hepp
Posts: 200
Renault are short on PU parts (most have prematurely expired) ... Hass is short on Dalara's body parts, that leaves Sauber out in the same boat too. McLearen are now racing Williams ????
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Actually Ricciardo position isn't that great. Martin Brundle said it best. Mercedes has Ham; Ferrari Vettel and according to him it's Redbull verstappen. So signing up with Redbull would guarantee anything since he will not get the prime change. If Renault offered enough he might be better there since they are on the up and have no clear leader.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@BOUDY It could change very quickly, but at Red Bull I think he's been treated fairly. You know... other than some stupid comments made by Helmut. But in general it hasn't been the embarrassing display of bias they showed with Vettel vs Webber.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Renault would be a great choice, if he was a few years younger, or they were a few years further in their development. But at his age he kinda need to cash in now, both from an economic perspective as well as from a performance perspective.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Agree with both. It's just that I can't see him beating verstappen when it's Verstappen who seems to out qualify him consistently. Margins are so tight between them but it looks like Verstappen has the edge. Whereas he has beaten Vettel before. However he seems to have no interest from Ferrari. I just can't see him staying with Redbull. As long is he stays in F1 I am good with it.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
With Honda engines incoming, get out Daniel, Get out!
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
There will be short term pains, but my hunch is, Honda can't mess up forever. Besides, RB's chassis could bring in an extra 0.6 sec.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Now that its settled, Im sure Marko will ask STR to do anything to help Honda develop faster this season.
Olfacius
Posts: 31
On one of our local (Australian) news sites, the following ending quote from Marko regarding Daniel's position: “We want him, to continue, but not at any price.”
Seems they continue to undervalue his capabilities.
Interesting year ahead it seems in any case.