Ricciardo denies Ferrari rumours

The Red Bull driver claimed his first win of 2018 at the Chinese Grand Prix last time out but, with his contract set to expire at the end of the year, speculation has been rife that he could be set for a switch.

Mercedes and Ferrari have been mooted as his most likely destinations, while it has even been suggested Ricciardo has signed a deal with the latter that forbids him to negotiate with any other interested parties.

"That's not true, I can say that," Ricciardo clarified at Thursday's media conference ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

"I've only had talks with Red Bull. Even last year we had been pretty open with each other. They are interested in keeping me and we have had some talks regarding that.

"I'm aware of other reports, but there hasn't been anything else so they are not true."

Ricciardo has indicated he will only move to a team where he is considered the number one driver but, whatever his decision, the Australian insisted he will always feel a sense of loyalty to Red Bull, having come through the manufacturer's junior programme.

"There will always be a bit of that for sure," he said. "It's been 10 years since I was in [the] Red Bull junior team. It's a long time and they really set it all up for me to make this happen.