But it remains possible that he could be targeting a role as Charles Leclerc’s team-mate in 2024. Carlos Sainz is under contract until the end of that season and looks likely to gain some sort of extension in the future after a decent showing since joining the Scuderia.
Ricciardo has been on the Prancing Horse’s radar before, though, and any drop in performance from Sainz could put his future under question. The Spaniard has been forced to accept his role as deputy to Charles Leclerc this season and equally may not appreciate playing the role of No 2 for much longer.
That may not be a problem for Ricciardo, who would be 35 in two years’ time and surely just happy to be part of Ferrari after missing out on a move in 2018 and 2020. But for now, Mercedes looks likely the more obvious destination for the Honey Badger.
