Red Bull: Engine first, then Ricciardo contract

Red Bull have mapped out their plans as they look to resolve both their engine partner and driver line-up for the 2019 season and beyond.

Red Bull need to decide whether to extend their relationship with engine partners Renault, or make the switch to Honda following their first year with junior team Toro Rosso.

A decision also needs to made on Daniel Ricciardo’s future with his current contract expiring at the end of the season.

The Aussie, who has won two races so far this season – the same amount as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton – could potentially join either of those drivers at Ferrari or Mercedes respectively.

But Ricciardo is going to have to wait to hear Red Bull’s proposal as they want to sort out their engine suppliers first.

“You could say that it [Ricciardo’s Monaco win] has made Daniel more expensive and put his value up or it’s [put] the team in a stronger position in terms of its value and potential to him,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

“The reality is it’s finding a solution to conclude a deal with Daniel in the next couple of months. The first thing is to get the engine sorted and then very much follow on from there with the driver.”

Red Bull are going to use the Canadian Grand Prix to perform a more extensive comparison of the Renault and Honda power unit.