[forzaferrari]

For anyone who hasnt read the article Gordo Sixtytwo is referring to:

The Shanghai Formula 1 paddock was buzzing with the rumour that Daniel Ricciardo had signed an option to join Ferrari from next season onwards. Given that Sebastian Vettel is in just the first of a three-year deal there and Kimi Räikkönen’s contract runs only until the end of this season, if the option were taken up it would re-unite the 2014 Red Bull Vettel-Ricciardo line-up. There are several intriguing questions arising from this, but there was a certain irony that as this rumour began to swirl around, Ricciardo should take a brilliant victory in a race that had looked Ferrari’s for the taking after Vettel and Räikkönen had sewn up the front row by a comfortable margin.

There are many different types of contractual options, but this one is said to be on both sides up to a defined date (believed to be June 30). Up until that time, neither party can officially negotiate with another. Because the driver is effectively locking himself out of the market for that time, discussions for his post-2018 services are contractually ‘owned’ by the team (in this case Ferrari). As such, he will be paid a fee. Between now and then he and Ferrari can negotiate about a future contract. This is all conventional F1 practice.

Those privy to such matters at Red Bull are adamant that he has definitely signed something, somewhere but it’s not with them and it’s not with Mercedes. Logically, therefore, it must be Ferrari. The question becomes, does he follow up with a full Ferrari deal - or in the event he cannot agree terms with Ferrari, just keep the fee and subsequently extend with Red Bull (or switch to Mercedes)? Red Bull is said to be pushing for an answer by the end of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend (i.e. before the June 30 Ferrari option deadline). He cannot do any deal with Red Bull before that deadline, regardless of how much they may want him to.