Spanish GP: Red Bull engine choice delays Daniel Ricciardo’s contract decision

Ferrari or Red Bull? Engine choice the reason behind Daniel Ricciardo’s delay in settling his future after finishing fifth in Spain.

Daniel Ricciardo finished fifth at the Spanish GP. Picture: Getty Images.

Daniel Ricciardo is waiting to find out which engine Red Bull will choose for next season before committing himself to a decision about his future. Ricciardo finished in fifth place in Sunday’s Spanish grand prix, avoiding the third corner mayhem behind him which eliminated three rivals, but was unable to match the speed of Mercedes or even his team mate Max Verstappen, without clean air.

Daniel Ricciardo during the Spanish GP. Picture: Getty Images.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton extended his lead in the championship with a dominant performance, untouched from pole except for a few laps when others had yet to pit and change tyres. Hamilton has now won two races in a row and has put his faltering season start behind him.

“This is more like it,” Hamilton said as he crossed the line. “Let’s keep this up.” His team mate Valtteri Bottas was second.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said he would have liked to have sewn up Ricciardo’s signature for 2019 and beyond by now but acknowledged there were ‘’certain things that have to pan out’’.

Ricciardo is being courted by Ferrari — his favoured childhood team — and with his Italian heritage the West Australian is strongly considering switching teams.

“In an ideal world we would have it done yesterday,’’ said Horner about getting Ricciardo’s signature.

“I appreciate there are certain things that have to pan about and I respect Daniel taking a bit of time to come to terms with his decision making.’’

Horner said he didn’t believe the uncertainty was creating any hesitancy in Ricciardo’s on-track efforts.

“He’s driving as he always has for us,’’ said Horner.

When asked if engine choice was a reason for the delay in a decision, Horner agreed it was an issue.

“He’s keen to know choice of engines is moving forward, we want to have the most competitive package for next season and seasons beyond that and hence the reason for the time (delay).’’

Ricciardo was not available after the race to talk to any press, with the team insisting he was consulting team engineers about the car for the Monaco race in a fortnight’s time. But Ricciardo has been desperately trying to avoid any questions about his future, especially until he knows the engine suppliers and competitiveness of both Red Bull and Ferrari.

Race winner Lewis Hamilton. Picture: Getty Images.

Ricciardo’s so-so result was remarkable in that he was able to set a new lap record on the freshly laid Catalunya track yet couldn’t make up any time to the leading four cars, even when Verstappen nudged the rear of Lance Stroll that catapulted bits of his front wing onto the racing track.

Despite the damage Verstappen — who has the dubious distinction of being in a collision in every race this year, held on for third place, relegating Sebastian Vettel to fourth, after the Ferrari driver had a slow pit stop.