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Daniel Ricciardo to Ferrari: Minardi reveals contract theory that will rock Mercedes fans
DANIEL RICCIARDO has more than a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Ferrari, reckons Giancarlo Minardi.
Daniel Ricciardo is said to be in talks over a move to Ferrari
Red Bull driver Ricciardo is said to have entered an exclusivity agreement with Ferrari as they discuss a possible switch of teams.
The Australian is out of contract at the end of the season and both Ferrari and Mercedes have been linked with him.
Reports in Italy claim Red Bull are still holding out hope of keeping Ricciardo but that he is demanding a £36m, two-year contract.
Further claims suggest Ferrari and deep into talks with the 28-year-old’s representatives.
And former F1 team owner Minardi has let slip his theory that Ricciardo’s negotiations are at an advanced stage.
Daniel Ricciardo is out of contract at Red Bull at the end of the season
Ferrari, with him, has something more than a simple gentlemen’s agreement
"I do not want Kimi Raikkonen but I think Ferrari is a bit rejuvenated,” he said.
“I like Ricciardo and I also think that Ferrari, with him, has something more than a simple gentlemen’s agreement.
“He is a driver who could be very suitable for a winning team like Ferrari because he is going to "stimulate" Sebastian Vettel, the one that today is definitely the first Maranello driver.
“But now you have to see what Vettel will say!”
Giancarlo Minardi reckons there is more to Daniel Ricciardo's talks than Ferrari are letting on
Raikkonen’s expected departure at the end of the season opens up the opportunity for Ricciardo to move to Ferrari, with Carlos Sainz tipped to then join Red Bull.
All this leaves Mercedes with a quandary as their second driver, Valtteri Bottas, is out of contract at the end of the campaign too.
Ricciardo has been linked with Mercedes for months now but the Silver Arrows appear to have lost out to Ferrari in the race to pinch him from Red Bull.