Ricciardo laughs off Ferrari speculation

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo says there is little substance in rumours linking him with a switch to Ferrari next year, and that he treats the media chatter as a bit of ‘fun’.

With speculation continuing to swirl around Kimi Raikkonen’s future with the Italian squad, Ricciardo’s name has been one of several put forward as a potential replacement. The Australian outshone current Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel when the two were team mates last year.

“I don’t even know where the rumours started actually - it’s really exploded,” Ricciardo said. “Ferrari is probably the only top team potentially with a seat open, which is why I guess my name and a few others have been linked to that.

“It’s a bit of a laugh. You know what, it’s fun - we talk about these things now, so it creates some variety in our conversations! Obviously it is nice to be regarded by a top team like that - it’s nice to know there is interest from other teams as well. But I am with a top team too.”

Asked if either he or his management had held talks with Ferrari, Ricciardo joked: “I am my manager. I haven’t had any talks - we’ve had indirect talks through the media I guess!”

Ricciardo was one of the stars of the 2014 season, taking three wins and finishing third overall in the drivers’ standings. However, he and Red Bull have struggled for form this season - he currently lies seventh overall, with his best finish being fifth at Monaco.