Ricciardo sighs relief: Red Bull line-up pretty stable

Baku, Azerbaijan - Daniel Ricciardo on Friday (June 17 2016) made clear that he welcomed Red Bull's decision to end speculation over his future by revealing that he is contracted to remain with the team until the end of 2018.

The Australian driver has been linked with other teams, including Ferrari, for several months while he and Red Bull remained tight-lipped on his future.

But after rising tensions in the relationship between Ricciardo, 26, and the team, Red Bull chiefs Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have told reporters that he is remaining with the team for two more years.

Stable relationship

Ricciardo said: "It has always been pretty discrete, I guess... But Helmut has made a few comments - and it is good, it means he likes me.

"But it is hard to tell some days! To be honest, the team is very happy with the line-up they have at the moment with myself and Max.

"I would say it is pretty stable."

READ: Red Bull extend Ricciardo's contract - reports

The Red Bull team brought in record-breaking Dutch teenager Max Verstappen from Toro Rosso ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in May 2016 in a swap that saw Russian Daniil Kvyat go back to Toro Rosso.

Verstappen won the Spanish GP on his debut.

Red Bull have confirmed that they will have an unchanged driver line-up next year.