Ricciardo ready to sign new deal

Daniel Ricciardo says he expects to strike a new deal with Red Bull as early as next week.

The Ricciardo contract saga has felt like it's gone on forever.

The Australian's future has been up in the air for a few months now, but with drivers signing new contracts with their teams - it looks like Ricciardo will stay at Red Bull, at least for another season.

Christian Horner said in Hockenheim that he thinks the situation will be resolved soon and Ricciardo echoes his thoughts.

"It's getting more realistic, I'd say," Ricciardo told Motorsport.com whether he'd have his future sorted before the summer break.

"I think obviously the picture with everyone else is starting to be pretty clear, so obviously I'll focus on (this race) and then I guess probably early next week I'll try and get everything done."

Mercedes now have Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton tied up for next season, the Ricciardo deal could have a big bearing on the driver market.

If Ricciardo does indeed sign a new deal at Red Bull, Carlos Sainz Jr. will then become a free agent, reports say.

Then that could trigger the market and moves will start to happen.

"I'd love to go on break with everything signed and done, but even if I don't sign next week for example, as long as I know during the break that I know what I want to do, then I'm happy enough," Ricciardo added.

"If we put pen to paper, then... we'll see, we can take some time."