Ricciardo has much to ponder as he considers Red Bull future

ABU DHABI: Daniel Ricciardo’s season ended with him trundling off the track during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a hydraulic failure causing a third retirement in four races.

It was a frustrating finale to a topsy-turvy year that saw him finish fifth in the Formula One standings, and included a purple patch of five straight podium finishes between May and July.

Away from the track, the 28-yearold Australian has a lot of thinking to do over his future at Red Bull.

His contract expires at the end of 2018. Teammate Max Verstappen recently signed a new deal until the end of 2020, but Ricciardo has yet to commit even though the team want him to stay.

“The peak years of my career are probably the next deal I’ll sign,” he said.

“I want to make sure I maximize that with my driving ability.”

Ricciardo has won five races, all since joining Red Bull in 2014. That year, he won three races and fin- ished a very impressive third overall.

He was considerably better than Sebastian Vettel, his teammate back then, who had clinched his fourth straight world title in 2013.

But now Verstappen is emerging as the team’s No. 1, and widely considered F1’s next star.

Verstappen turned 20 in September, but has already won three F1 races – two in the last six races of this season. Ricciardo has 27 career podiums while Verstappen – the youngest winner of a race at 18 years old – already has 11.

Verstappen hefty new contract shows how valuable the Dutchman is, even though the team have not officially designated a No. 1 driver.

This puts Ricciardo is in a delicate position.

Given his considerable talent and consistency, he does not want to spend the next three years as – potentially – a No. 2 behind Verstappen. It would possibly cause tension within the team and pressure a relationship that is harmonious enough, despite some flashpoints.

“I’m sure there will be a few discussions in the next week or two, especially with the team,” Ricciardo said. “It’s not about the offer, it’s about who is going to have the best car for 2019.”

Ricciardo has given himself a loose timescale.

“Once I get home and over Christmas, I want to switch off from racing,” he said. “I would like to know something earlier.”

He has the luxury of being an established driver at Red Bull, so a move away comes with risk. — AP

The peak years of my career are probably the next deal I’ll sign. I want to make sure I maximize that with my driving ability. Daniel Ricciardo