The German publication Sports Bild reports that McLaren are keen on signing Daniel Ricciardo and have offered the Red Bull driver a lucrative contract.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko admits that Ricciardo will be in demand as his contract with the team expires at the end of the season. Marko said: “Our Daniel Ricciardo is the king of the market. McLaren offers him more every week.”
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Ahead of this weekend’s French Grand Prix 28-year-old Ricciardo is fourth in the F1 drivers’ standings and has two victories to his name this season – in China and Monaco.
Lewis Hamilton, the reigning world champion, is also in talks about a new deal with Mercedes. Ricciardo may wait for Hamilton to put pen to paper before signing his own contract.
Marko said: “Ricciardo doesn’t want to sign until Hamilton has signed. It’s a bit strange. Hopefully it ends soon.”
If McLaren do recruit Ricciardo for next year could he replace Fernando Alonso? The two-time world champion revealed last week that he has an important decision to make on his future after the F1 summer break.
The Spaniard is being linked with a move to IndyCar.