Red Bull prioritise engine deal over Ricciardo contract

Red Bull’s engine supplier for next season is still very much up in the air, as is their driver line-up. Despite Daniel Ricciardo’s stunning Monaco victory, Christian Horner says that an engine deal will come before any driver deal.

Australian Ricciardo is in his fifth season at Red Bull since making the move up from Toro Rosso, and he has won seven races for the team.

Two of those have been this year as he chases a potential first world title, but his whereabouts for next year is still not confirmed.

Horner said: “You could say that it [Ricciardo’s Monaco win] has made Daniel more expensive and put his value up or it’s [put] the team in a stronger position in terms of its value and potential to him.”

Another thing for Horner to sort out is Red Bull’s engine supplier for next year. Their long-term relationship with Renault has faltered over recent years, so Red Bull are thinking of switching to Honda, who are powering their junior team Toro Rosso.

Horner believes this is more important than tying down Ricciardo to a contract: “The reality is it’s finding a solution to conclude a deal with Daniel in the next couple of months.