Red Bull boss prepared to 'let Ricciardo go'

Not really. He signed a contract already. It's actually more of an common sense approach to Ricciardo's situation. This up to both to decide what they want ; but if the team has had enough of not knowing they will make the decision for him by signing another driver. Redbull are an fantastic team to drive for so unsettling and going for another team won't be an easy decision for Daniel. If Honda does well with Toro Rosso I'd expect him to sign for 2 more years on the same salary as Max.

I think max gives a rats ass about the money. As long as he can race in a good car and his expenses are covered to the extend that he can maintain this lifestyle hell prolly doesnt think about the money (yet). I actually think Max will value having ricciardo as a teammate more than anything else. I mean whats the alternative? Sainz. We already know how toxic that will be very quick. That will probably not bring the team any further.
I greatly admire Hartley's resolve and past wins. Also Gasly seems like a decent driver.... but both not really F1 race winning material.

Max has only one thing in mind, and that will be world champion as soon as possible. It will be a concern to him whether he earns much or little money at this stage of his career. Records also say little to him. But unlike Ricciardo, Max has quickly made a decision to extend his contract. And really not on the basis of all the nice weather talk from Marco and Horner alone. But according to my idea purely by demanding an escape clause from RB. Ricciardo replaces his chances in my opinion if he waits too long to make a decision. I think if Ricciardo, just like Max, had promised his trust to RBR at an early stage, he would have had a much better negotiating position. As he waits, the negotiating position deteriorates.

Fair enough, but I think Ricciardo did the wiser thing. He is checking the options, and if he find something better, he'll jump ship. Meanwhile, Max is for better or worse stuck at Red Bull. In the long run, Ricciardo have the stronger position, because he isnt tied to RB.

Why would you think Ricciardo can turn to Mercedes or Ferrari? Because everyone says it? I think they are less likely to jump Ricciardo at Mercedes and Ferrari than they want to show in the media. And do not be mistaken in Marko's psychological working method. Hard calling in the media that you as a team do not worry if Ricciardo leave, all belongs to the game that is being played. The light only just touches which of the two will sweat the hardest. As far as known now, there has not yet been a concrete approach towards Ricciardo from Mercedes or Ferrari.

….. but if there has been a concrete offer from Mercedes or Ferrari, would either party admit it this early in the season? Ricciardo wouldn’t, because he’d still want to fight and be on level terms with Verstappen, and nor would Ferrari and, in particularly Mercedes, as they’d both want to maintain an incentive for their number 2’s to perform.

From a negotiating standpoint, Dietrich’s comments about being ok with Ricciardo moving on is certainly a masterstroke, as it leaves Ricciardo with less bargaining power, both in terms of negotiating with another team, and if that falls through, returning to negotiations with Redbull.

I personally rate Ricciardo much higher than the two Dads racing for Ferrari. I’ve never been a fan of Vettel’s, as I think his previous success was born out of having a superior car whilst at the time driving for a superior outfit that gave him every advantage as the team’s number one driver. This is surely evidenced by the numerous times over the past two years (some epic) where he has shown himself to be mentally fragile with a real sense of entitlement.

Dietrich’s posturing’s would appear to indicate that Ricciardo has been slated as the team’s number two driver in favour of securing a ‘Youngest-Ever World Champion’ title for Verstappen. So if Ricciardo is to sign up as a number two driver for any of the top three teams, he would surely be looking to secure Raikkonen’s seat, as he’d have a much better chance of deposing Vettel, than Hamilton or Verstappen.

....... but then again, I know it would never happen, but I reckon it would be fantastic to see Hamilton replace Raikkonen and take on Vettel mano a mano in '19, and have Ricciardo move to Mercedes!!